The document discusses conformity and deviance, explaining that socialization instills societal norms, while deviance arises from behavior that diverges from these expectations. It outlines different theoretical frameworks for understanding deviance, including structural strain theory, labeling theory, and social control theory. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in ensuring individual dignity while pursuing the common good.

1. Conformity &
Deviance

2. Conformity & Deviance
Alignment is coursed through the process of
socialization, where members of society starting
from birth are exposed to the norms, values, and
idiosyncrasies of their culture. When the alignment
becomes complete and lasting, conformity is the
anticipated behavior to follow.
Goals in society are achieved through various
means. If goals are achieved using unconventional
means, this may generate deviance.

3. Deviance
Deviance is a behavior that
departs significantly from social
expectations. It is a rule-
breaking behavior of some kind
which fails to conform to the
norms and expectations of a
particular society or social
group.
e.g. rebellion, drug use, theft, murder,
excessive alcohol use, assault

4. Variability of
Deviance
Deviance cannot by objectively identified but
are subjective and require contextual
standards.
This is because rules are socially created, not
individually imposed. It is not just the
behavior, but the social response of the
group.
The study of deviance can be divided into:
1.The study of why people violate
laws/norms
2.The study of how society reacts to this
violation

5. Example:
Conformity Examples
Dress Code: Wearing business attire in a
corporate environment because everyone
else does.
Standing in Line: Following the unspoken
rule of lining up in order for services, like at a
movie theater or grocery store.
Peer Pressure in School: A student joining a
study group or club because their friends are
in it.
Social Media Trends: Participating in popular
challenges or trends on social media to fit in
with peers.
Observing Quiet in Libraries: Remaining
silent or whispering in a library because it’s
expected in that environment.

6. Example:
Deviance
Skipping the Line: Cutting ahead in a line, disregarding
social norms around fairness and patience.
1.Non-Traditional Dress: Wearing casual attire in a
formal setting or an unconventional style that goes
against typical fashion norms.
2.Speaking Out: Voicing a controversial opinion in a
group setting where everyone else agrees with a
different viewpoint.
3.Breaking Curfew: A teenager staying out past the
agreed time with their parents, ignoring household
rules.
4.Protesting: Participating in a protest or
demonstration that challenges established rules or
policies, especially when it’s against the law to assemble

7. Activity:
Create a scenario where Conformity and
Deviance is present.
In conclusion: Share how you felt in both
roles and explore the consequences of each
choice.

8. Group Activity:
Discuss the following theoretical
interpretations of deviance and explain a
short summary of what you’ve understood

9. Theoretical Interpretations of Deviance
01 02 03
Structural
Strain Theory
Labeling
Theory
Social Control
Theory

10. Structural Strain Theory
This theory offered by Robert Merton
believes that deviance is caused by the gap
between cultural goals and the means
people have available to achieve these.
When society fails to provide appropriate
means, there is imbalance between goals
and means, causing deviance.

11. Merton’s 5 categories of people
(in relation to cultural goals and means)
Conformists
• believe in the goals and means
• follow rules
Ritualists
• do not believe in goals but believe in means
Innovators
• accept goals but reject means
• disregard conventional means in attaining wealth
• also known as criminals
Retreatists
• reject goals and means
• avoids both without replacing with own
countercultural forces
Rebels
• reject goals and means
• substitute new goals and means
Structural Strain Theory

12. Labeling Theory
This theory indicates that society's assigning
of labels to individuals or certain groups can
have an effect on their behavior.
This theory holds the assumption that no act
is intrinsically criminal. Definitions of
criminality are established by those in power.
Those who represent the forces of law and
order (e.g. police, authorities) provide main
source of labeling. Many of the rules that
define deviance and the context in which
deviant behavior is labeled as deviant are
framed by the dominant groups to the
subordinate groups.

13. Social Control Theory
Developed by Travis Hirschi, it is a type of
functionalist theory that suggest that
deviance occurs when a person's or a
group's attachment to social bonds is
weakened. According to this view, people
care about what others think of them and
conform to social expectations because
of their attachments to others and what
others expect of them.

14. Social Control
To prevent deviance, society has means to
assure conformity. Measures of social
control (mechanisms, rules, rewards,
consequences) are applied when conformity
is lacking/weak. These are pervasive and
invasive, that individuals don’t realize their
conformity is due to these pressures.
Institutions are control structures.
Family Schools, church, legal frameworks
→
of the state, media
Effective socialization makes conformity an
internally driven motivation, while externally
driven conformity always engages in the
mechanisms of social control.

15. UDHR
When individuals become members of society,
they submit to the norms of society. One of the
dangers of becoming a member of society is one
is forced to adopt and adapt to society’s
standards in exchange for being a beneficiary of
the common good.
However, the pursuance of the common good
should not be a cause for the violation o the
rights of individuals. It is in this context that the
United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights (UDHR) becomes a vital
document. It outlines the entitlements of all
individuals to human dignity and the rights we
possess that are essential elements in pursuing
the common good.
UDHR in detail Pages 136-141
→

16. Quiz!

17. #1 / MC
This theory offered by Robert Merton believes that deviance
is caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means
people have available to achieve these.
a. Structural Strain Theory
b. Labelling Theory
c. Social Control Theory

18. #2 / MC
_ is a behavior that departs from social expectations,
and fails to conform to the norms of a particular
society.
a. Socialization
b. Conformity
c. Deviance

19. #3 / MC
Alignment happens through _, where members of society
starting from birth are exposed to the norms, values, and
idiosyncrasies of their culture.
a. Socialization
b. Conformity
c. Deviance

20. #4 / MC
Who developed the Social Control theory?
a. Herbert Spencer
b. Travis Hirschi
c. Robert Merton

21. #5 / MC
Which of the following is NOT a form of deviance?
a. Gossip
b. Innovation
c. Rebellion

22. #6 / MC
Which of the categories of Merton describes a person who
rejects goals and means of society, and substitutes them
with new goals and new means to achieve these.
a. Conformists
b. Ritualists
c. Innovators
d. Retreatists
e. Rebels

23. #7 / MC
Which of the categories of Merton describes a person who
do not believe in the established goals of society, but
believe in the means of attaining those goals.
a. Conformists
b. Ritualists
c. Innovators
d. Retreatists
e. Rebels

24. #8 / Identification
This document outlines the entitlements of all individuals to
human dignity and the rights we possess that are essential
elements in pursuing the common good.

25. #9 / Identification
It focuses on a different set of postulations about deviance
and begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically
criminal

26. #10 / Identification
It is a theory that suggests that deviance occurs when a
person's or a group's attachment to social bonds is
weakened.

27. Answer Key

28. #1 / MC
This theory was offered by Robert Merton. He believes that
deviance is caused by the gap between cultural goals and
the means people have available to achieve these.
a. Structural Strain Theory
b. Labelling Theory
c. Social Control Theory

29. #2 / MC
_ is a behavior that departs from social expectations,
and fails to conform to the norms of a particular
society.
a. Socialization
b. Conformity
c. Deviance

30. #3 / MC
Alignment happens through _, where members of society
starting from birth are exposed to the norms, values, and
idiosyncrasies of their culture.
a. Socialization
b. Conformity
c. Deviance

31. #4 / MC
Who developed the Social Control theory?
c. Robert Merton
a. Herbert Spencer
b. Travis Hirschi

32. #5 / MC
Which of the following is NOT a form of deviance?
a. Gossip
b. Innovation
c. Rebellion

33. #6 / MC
Which of the categories of Merton describes a person who
rejects goals and means of society, and substitutes these
with new ones.
a. Conformists
b. Ritualists
c. Innovators
d. Retreatists
e. Rebels

34. #7 / MC
Which of the categories of Merton describes a person who
do not believe in the established goals of society, but
believe in the means of attaining those goals.
a. Conformists
b. Ritualists
c. Innovators
d. Retreatists
e. Rebels

35. #8 / Identification
This document outlines the entitlements of all individuals to
human dignity and the rights we possess that are essential
elements in pursuing the common good.
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

36. #9 / Identification
It focuses on a different set of postulations about deviance
and begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically
criminal
Labeling theory

37. #10 / Identification
Social Control Theory
It is a theory that suggests that deviance occurs when a
person's or a group's attachment to social bonds is
weakened.

38. Thank you!