Deviance is behavior that violates social norms, but what counts as deviant depends on context and social judgment. This lesson introduces the concept and shows why deviance is not always harmful or viewed negatively.
Sociologist William Graham Sumner described deviance as a violation of established contextual, cultural, or social norms. These norms can include everyday customs, strong moral expectations, and codified laws. Deviance therefore covers a wide range of behavior, from a minor breach of etiquette to a serious crime.
All flashcards
What is deviance?
Behavior that violates social, cultural, or contextual norms; it is not necessarily harmful or illegal.
What is crime?
Conduct prohibited by law, whether or not people consider it highly deviant.
What is social control?
The regulation and enforcement of norms to help maintain social order.
What distinguishes positive sanctions from negative sanctions?
Positive sanctions reward conformity; negative sanctions punish or express disapproval.
What distinguishes formal sanctions from informal sanctions?
Formal sanctions are officially administered by institutions or authorities; informal sanctions arise through everyday social interaction.
Quiz questions
Which statement best describes the relationship between deviance and crime?Answer: Some norm violations are not crimes, and some crimes are not widely seen as highly deviant.
Elizabeth Eckford followed the law when she attempted to attend a legally desegregated school, yet a White crowd harassed her. What does this illustrate?Answer: Social labels can reflect prejudice and power rather than whether someone broke the law.
What happened to marijuana under U.S. federal law in 1937?Answer: Congress enacted a federal ban on it.
What does variation in gambling laws across states illustrate?Answer: Legal status can vary across jurisdictions and forms of an activity.
What is the purpose of social control in a society?Answer: To regulate norms and help maintain social order.
Based on Introduction to Sociology 3e by Tonja R. Conerly, Kathleen Holmes, Asha Lal Tamang (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.