The document discusses different types of deviance, including positive deviance like altruism and innovation. It also examines how societies react to deviance through shifting norms and labels. Finally, it notes that the determination of deviance is subjective and relative to cultures, times, and contexts. Societies alter their definitions of deviance to maintain it at an optimal level through social control mechanisms.

1. THE ABC’s of DEVIANCE A = Attitudes Achieved statuses based upon beliefs or convictions B = Behaviors Often Achieved statuses based on outward actions. May also be Ascribed C = Conditions Most frequently Ascribed statuses that are acquired from birth

2. POSITIVE DEVIANCE Altruism – self-sacrificing (good Samaritans) Charisma – leaders outside of the norm who have followers and eventually whose views are adopted (intellectuals, shamans, military leaders, prophets) Innovation – creative and innovative figures that profoundly impact the life of a culture (music, films, Ben Franklin, Isaac Newton) Supra-Conformity – collective evaluations of what behaviors “ought” to be (extreme moralists, a-students) Innate Characteristics – subject to environmental conditions (movie stars, athletes, based on ascribed status)

3. THE PROCESS OF DEVIANCE Societal reaction to deviance is a complex social-cultural-historical process based on shifting definitions, organizational interests and professional “expertise” The “reaction” and the “deviance” are a mutually interrelated phenomenon

4. REACTION PROCESS Societal Reaction to a given event Norms Labels as Deviant Societal reaction to label Revised Norms More Deviance And it continues on

5. Determination of Deviance is Subjective/Relative What is deviant to one person is not deviant to another. What is deviant in one society, culture, or subculture is not deviant in others. What is deviant at one time may not be deviant at other times. What is deviant in one context may not be deviant in others.

6. Social Control and Deviance When deviance rises or falls too much, society alters its moral criteria to maintain the level of deviance at an optimal range. If deviancy is too high, society will adjust its definition of deviance, thereby normalizing the high levels If deviance is too low, it will redefine behavior that wasn’t considered deviant and give it a negative association

7. Competing explanations of Deviance - Biological — medicalization of deviance, a physical illness Psychological — personality disorder - Sociological — socialization into deviance (symbolic interaction, functional, and conflict perspectives)