WK 9.2 Reading Sociology Deviance - Hanane Ben Abdeslam

Deviance is any behavior that violates cultural norms. Norms are social expectations that guide human behavior. Deviance is mostly divided into two deviant activities, first one is crime, also known as formal deviance, which is the violation of formally enacted laws. The second one, refers to violations of informal social norms, norms that have not been codified into law, and is referred to as informal deviance. People display certain “normal” behavior. Whether in an industrial area, parking lot in a shopping street: they walk a certain route, and are present at certain times and stay somewhere for a certain time. If people deviate from this, extra vigilance is important. However, this doesn’t directly mean someone is breaking the law, it can be also seen as the first sign of crime. The offense is a specific form, but deviations from the law are not just deviant behavior. Deviating from unwritten rules of conduct also applies as such, even if this is done by respected persons. Another form of deviant behavior is sexually transgressive behavior. 

What I have learned is that deviant behavior varies between societies, but also between, for example, social classes. In addition, this varies over time as a society develops. Deviant behavior can affect social status and acceptance and even lead to exclusion.

Can you think of something you’ve done that would be deviant in one situation but not in another?

Hanane Ben Abdeslam

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