Introduction
Deviance refers to a state of deviating from the socially accepted standards through actions that violate social norms. Deviance involves the resistant behavior to conform to the set code of conduct. Although the act of resistance to conformity is viewed as a negative aspect, there are positive elements associated with deviance, which may render deviance to be acceptable in different situations. There are two major forms of deviance, which are associated with the violations of norms in the society. The two types of deviance include the formal and informal deviance. Formal deviance is regarded as crime that violates the societal law, while the informal deviance refers to the minor violations of rules in the social life. Deviant actions in the society create the assertions of individual identity and character. The primary function of deviance is affirmation of the cultural values and norms considering that the aspect of justice in the society cannot be experienced without crime.
Theories
To explain the aspect of deviance, there are different theories that are developed to provide a comprehensive analysis of different factors that related to individual deviant behaviors. The theories help in providing a better understanding of the factors that contribute to the violation of societal norms and cultural values in both the formal and informal contexts in the society.
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Structural Functionalism
Structural Functionalism theory provides a sociological explanation of deviance among individuals in the society. The argument presented in the given theory is based on the fact that deviance behaviors among individuals result from structural functionalism. In this case, a deviant person has a vital role in the society, which involves unifying people in the society. The deviant behaviors in this case focuses on creating a distinction between the socially acceptable and unacceptable things in the society. According to Cole (2017), the theory maintains that deviance is an important aspect that helps to demarcate boundaries and draw lines in the society to ensure that members of the public understand their role in the society based on the cultural values and norms. Although the deviant behaviors associated with structural functionalism may result in creating an imbalance in the social equilibrium, it has an important role in restoring balance by ensuring that the society adjusts to social norms.
Conflict Theory
Conflict theory is one of the significant theories of deviance, which focuses on creating an analysis of the deviance behavior in the society. The sociological theory of deviance provides an argument that the deviant actions results from conflicts that arise from political, social, or material inequalities in the society. The inequalities experienced by individuals in the society tend to create a situation where individuals change their behaviors owing to changes in the social structures and different circumstances. For example, the development of the Occupy Wall Street movement demonstrates the conflict theory considering that the movement engaged in deviant actions owing to social and political inequalities experienced within the region. The conflicts arising from the inequalities resulted in the need for having to engage in deviant actions, which involved protesting and demonstrating to articulate grievances against issues such as unequal distribution of wealth in the society.
Labeling Theory
The labeling is a sociological concept of deviance that maintains that an individual becomes deviant when they are labeled to be deviant. In most cases, when an individual is labelled to be deviant, they tend to develop behaviors and actions, which are associated with the label. The theory argues that individuals may be deviant owing to stigma from the deviant labelling, which may be associated with past experiences or behaviors. According to Downes, Rock, & McLaughlin (2016), reincarnating past behaviors of an individual may result in the redevelopment of the deviant behaviors. The theory maintains that judging individuals from their past behaviors may have a major impact on creating more resistance.
Social Strain Typology
The social strain typology is sociological concept of deviance, which is based on two important aspects concerning an individual. The first aspect relating to the theory involves an individual’s motivation to adhere to cultural goals, while the second aspect concerns an individual’s belief in attaining their goals objectives. The theory maintains that the deviant behaviors and actions are based on the need to conform to different aspects in the society. The key aspects associated with deviance in this case include conformity, rebellion, ritualism, and innovation. The theory maintains that individuals can turn into deviance in pursuit of different aspects regarding the achievement of social values and goals.
Conclusion
Deviance involves the development of behavior and actions that involve resistance to the adherence of set code of conduct in the society. The acts of deviance may involve engaging in activities that are considered as unacceptable in the society such as crime or failure to adhere to social norms. There are different factors that contribute to the development of deviant behaviors among individual, which include improper socialization, rejection, lack of a proper family and religious background, mass media among others. There are different sociological theories that focus on creating a basic explanation on the development of deviant behaviors in the society.
References
Cole, S. (2017). The growth of scientific knowledge: Theories of deviance as a case study. In The idea of social structure (pp. 175-220). Routledge.
Downes, D., Rock, P. E., & McLaughlin, E. (2016). Understanding deviance: a guide to the sociology of crime and rule-breaking . Oxford University Press.
