Deviance in Sociology: Concept & Behavior | What Is Deviant ...

Deviance, in regard to sociology, means deviating from societal norms. This can include formal deviance, which includes breaking laws, and ... forTeachers forSchools forWorkingScholars® forCollegeCredit LogIn SignUp Menu Plans Plans Courses Courses AcademicCourses BusinessCourses EnglishCourses HistoryCourses HumanitiesCourses MathCourses PsychologyCourses ScienceCourses SocialScienceCourses SpanishCourses AllCourses CollegeandProfessionalCourses CollegeCredit TransferCredit ProfessionalDevelopment Exploreover 4,600 videocourses BrowseAllCourses AcademicCourses CollegeandProfessionalCourses ByGrade ByGrade ElementarySchoolCourses MiddleSchoolCourses HighSchoolCourses CollegeCourses TransferCreditsCourses GraduateandPost-GradCourses AdultEducationCourses TestPrep TestPrep TeacherCertification TeacherCertification CollegeCreditandGraduateTests CollegeCreditandGraduateTests Nursing Nursing RealEstate RealEstate AllTestPreparationCourses PRAXIS TExES CSET/CBEST FTCE GACE AllTeacherCertificationTestPrepCourses CLEP DSST AP GRE HESI TEAS NCLEX RealEstateLicenses RealEstateSales RealEstateBrokers RealEstateAppraisal Teach Teach TeachingResourcesandCurriculum StateStandardSkills LessonPlans TeacherCertification TeacherProfessionalDevelopment Tutoring Tutoring MathTutoring MathTutoring ScienceTutoring ScienceTutoring BusinessTutoring BusinessTutoring HumanitiesTutoring HumanitiesTutoring AlgebraTutoring CalculusTutoring GeometryTutoring Pre-calculusTutoring StatisticsTutoring TrigonometryTutoring AllMathTutoring BiologyTutoring ChemistryTutoring PhysicsTutoring AllScienceTutoring AccountingTutoring EconomicsTutoring FinanceTutoring AllBusinessTutoring HistoryTutoring LiteratureTutoring WritingTutoring AllHumanitiesTutoring SignUp AcademicCourses BusinessCourses EnglishCourses HistoryCourses HumanitiesCourses MathCourses PsychologyCourses ScienceCourses SocialScienceCourses SpanishCourses AllCourses CollegeandProfessionalCourses CollegeCredit TransferCredit ProfessionalDevelopment TeacherCertification PRAXIS TExES CSET/CBEST FTCE GACE AllTeacherCertificationTestPrepCourses CollegeReadiness CLEP DSST AP GRE Nursing HESI TEAS NCLEX RealEstate RealEstateLicenses RealEstateSales RealEstateBrokers RealEstateAppraisal MathTutoring AlgebraTutoring CalculusTutoring GeometryTutoring Pre-calculusTutoring StatisticsTutoring TrigonometryTutoring AllMathTutoring ScienceTutoring BiologyTutoring ChemistryTutoring PhysicsTutoring AllScienceTutoring BusinessTutoring AccountingTutoring EconomicsTutoring FinanceTutoring AllBusinessTutoring HumanitiesTutoring HistoryTutoring LiteratureTutoring WritingTutoring AllHumanitiesTutoring Copyright Lesson Transcript DeniseDeCooman,KimberlyMoffitt Author DeniseDeCooman DeniseDeCoomanwasateachingassistantfortheGeneralZoologycourseatCaliforniaUniversityofPennsylvaniawhilesheearnedherMaster'sofScienceinClinicalMentalHealthCounselingfromfallsemesterof2015andspringof2017.ShealsohasaBachelor'sofScienceinBiologicalSciencesfromCaliforniaUniversity.ShehasbeenwritinginstructionalcontentforaneducationalconsultantbasedoutofthegreaterPittsburghareasinceJanuary2020. Viewbio Instructor KimberlyMoffitt KimberlyhastaughtcollegeSociologyandCriminalJusticeclassesandhasaMaster'sDegreeinCriminalJustice. Viewbio Definedevianceinsociology.Discoverexamplesofformsofdeviance,identifytheoriesthatdefinedeviantbehavior,anddiscussapplicationsofthesetheories. Updated:02/15/2022 TableofContentsWhatistheDefinitionofDeviance?ExamplesofFormsofDevianceTheoriesthatDefineDeviantBehaviorApplyingtheSociologicalDefinitionofDevianceLessonSummaryShow Createanaccount WhatistheDefinitionofDeviance?Todefine'deviance'insociology,meanstodepartfromwhatisconsideredthenorm.Theterm,norm,asitpertainstothefieldofsociologyreferstowhatisdefinedbythecultureasappropriatebehavior.Togivecontexttothisterm,societalnormsincludeengaginginbehaviorsdeemedsociallyacceptablewithincertainlimits,likefurtheringone'seducationandattainingacertainupwardcareerpath.Theterm"deviant"inthesociologicalcontext,referstobehaviorthatliesoutsideofthenormandisdeemedbythecultureasinappropriate.Thisincludesbothpositiveandnegativebehaviors.ProtestingagainstunethicaltreatmentofcertaingroupsorreceivingaperfectscoreontheSATswouldbeconsideredpositivedeviationsfromthenorm.Spittinginthefaceofafriendortakingthelifeofanotherhumanarebothnegativedeviantbehaviors.Deviancemayalsobeformalorinformal.Formaldevianceentailsthebreakingoflawsandcanbeprosecutedbythecriminaljusticesystem.Informaldeviancereferstoactsthatgoagainstcertainsociallyacceptednormsorrules,likenotusingdeodorantorbingedrinking.Sanctions,pertainingtosociology,arewaysthatcertainsocialnormsareenforced.Sanctionscanbeformalandincludeprosecutionbythecriminaljusticesystem,orinformalandmayoccurintheformofapersonwithamultitudeofpastelcolorsintheirhairreceivingstrangelooksfrompassersby. DefinitionofDevianceWhenmostofusthinkofdeviantbehavior,wethinkofsomeonewhoisbreakingthelaworactingoutinanegativemanner.'Different'or'unexpected'arewordsoftenusedtodescribedeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Forourpurposes,deviantmeansdepartingfromthenorm,andtoasociologist,thatcanbebiasedtowardthepositiveornegative.Whiletherearecrimesthatarecertainlydeviantbecausetheyareoutsidethenorm(suchasmurder,rape,etc.),therearealsocrimesthatarenotdeviant.Takespeedingforexample.Itisn'tatallunexpectedtoseesomeonespeeding.Fromasociologicalperspective,speedingwouldnotbeconsidereddeviantinmostcitiesintheUnitedStates. Anerroroccurredtryingtoloadthisvideo. Tryrefreshingthepage,orcontactcustomersupport. YoumustcCreateanaccounttocontinue watching Registertoviewthislesson Areyouastudentorateacher? Iamastudent Iamateacher CreateYourAccountToContinueWatching Asamember,you'llalsogetunlimitedaccesstoover84,000 lessonsinmath,English,science,history,andmore.Plus,getpracticetests,quizzes,andpersonalizedcoachingtohelpyou succeed. Getunlimitedaccesstoover84,000lessons. Tryitnow Itonlytakesafewminutestosetupandyoucancancelanytime. Alreadyregistered?Loginherefor access  Back Resourcescreatedbyteachersforteachers Over30,000videolessons &teachingresources‐all inoneplace. Videolessons Quizzes&Worksheets ClassroomIntegration LessonPlans IwoulddefinitelyrecommendStudy.comtomycolleagues.It’slikeateacherwavedamagicwandanddidtheworkforme.Ifeellikeit’salifeline. JenniferB. Teacher Tryitnow Back Comingupnext: AttitudeFormationTheoryinPsychology You'reonaroll.Keepupthegoodwork! TakeQuiz Watch NextLesson  Replay Justcheckingin.Areyoustillwatching? Yes!Keepplaying. Yournextlessonwillplayin 10seconds 0:02Deviance 0:53Theories&Examples 5:29LessonSummary Save Save Save Wanttowatchthisagainlater? LoginorsignuptoaddthislessontoaCustomCourse. LoginorSignup Timeline Autoplay Autoplay Speed Speed 71Kviews Video Quiz Course 71K views ExamplesofFormsofDevianceAsmentionedearlier,deviancecanbeformal(andbreaklaws)orinformal(andjustgoagainstunwrittensocietalstandardsastowhatisconsideredthenorm).Examplesofformaldevianceincludejaywalkingandsellingillicitsubstances,asthesearebothprosecutablecriminaloffenses.Jaywalkingisunlikelytocauseanywherenearasmuchdamageasdealingdrugs,butbothexamplesarestillconsideredcriminaloffenses,thoughofdifferingdegrees.Examplesofinformaldeviantbehaviorsincludepickingone'snoseinfrontofothersorawomanrefusingtomarry,ashygieneandmarriagearebothestablishedsocialnormsinAmericanculture.Anexampleofhowaculture'sperceptionofdeviancecanchangeoveraperiodoftimewouldbehowbeingpartoftheLGBT+communitywasonceconsideredsociallyreprehensibleinAmericansocietybutnowisgenerallyaccepted.HomosexualitywasonceclassifiedbytheAmericanPsychologicalAssociationasamentalhealthdisorderbutwasremovedfromtheDiagnosticandStatisticalManualofMentalDisordersin1973.Nowadays,peoplewhoidentifyasLGBT+arelesslikelytohavetheirromanticrelationshipsthoughtofasdeviantbythemajorityofAmericanSociety. TheCriminalJusticeSystemProvidesPunishmentstoThoseFoundGuiltyofCriminalFormsofDeviance Societalnormsarecontextual,whichmeansthattherearedifferentsetsofsocietalnormsindifferentcultures.Insomecultures,forexample,bodymodificationintheformsoftattoosandpiercingsareconsidereddeviantwhereastheseareacceptablenormsforanotherculture. FaceTattoosandEyelidPiercingsareConsideredDeviantinAmericanCulture TheoriesthatDefineDeviantBehaviorDeviantbehaviorinvolvesactionsthatdeviatefromwhatsocietyconsiderstobeanorm.Therearethreemaintheoriesinsociologywhichattempttodefinedeviantbehavior,aswellasproviderationaleforsuchactions.Thesetheoriesincludestructuralfunctionalism,symbolicinteraction,andsocialconflicttheories.StructuralFunctionalismandDevianceStructuralfunctionalismisatheoryinsociologythatpositsthatindividualsinsocietybasicallyactinawaythatmostindividualsprovidesomeformofanecessarycontributiontothatsociety.EmileDurkheim,aFrenchsociologist,theorizedthatdeviantbehaviorisbothunavoidableandnecessaryinorderforsocietytoproperlyfunctionasawhole.HisideaswerereferencedastheNormativeTheoryofSocialDeviance.Durkheimheldthebeliefthatinorderforsocietytoadvance,somedevianceisnecessary.Anexampleofdeviancethatcausedsocietytoadvance,accordingtonormativetheory,wastheoutlawingofslaveryinAmerica.RobertK.Merton,anAmericansociologist,iscreditedwiththedevelopmentofStrainTheory.Mertonpositedthatthereweretwobasiccategoriesofindividuals,conformistsandinnovators.Histheorystatesthatthereisa'strain'onindividualswhichcancausethemtobehavedeviantlyinordertoachieveacertainculturallyacceptedgoal,suchasfurtheringone'seducationorattainingacareerwithahigh-payingsalary.Conformistsupholdsocialnormsinordertoachievewhatareconsideredculturallyappropriateideals,suchasfinancialsuccess,whileinnovatorsengageinwhatthecultureconsiderstobedeviantbehavior(liketraffickingillegalweapons)inordertotryandachievethesamegoalofmonetarystability.SymbolicInteractionandDevianceSymbolicInteractionTheorystatesthattherearesocialnormsthatarebasedonpeople'ssubjectiveinterpretationofcertainactionsandthecorrespondingenvironment,andhowdevianceisdefinedinday-to-daysituations.EdwinSutherland,anAmericancriminologistandsociologist,positedthatsocialdevianceinpeopleoccurredduetothesocialcirclesofanindividualasperhistheoryofdifferentialassociation.Hebelievedthatvaluesandattitudestowardssocialdeviancewerelearnedfromothers,particularlythepeergroupsindividualschose.Manytheoristsofhistimebelievedthatdeviantbehaviorwasduetoheritable,orbiological,factors. TannenbaumandBecker'sLabelingTheorysuggeststhatsocietaldevianceisaself-fulfillingprophecyanddevianceoccursbecausepeoplewhoperformcertainactionsconsidereddifferentfromthenormareconsequentlylabeledfordoingso.LabelingTheorystatesthereareprimaryandsecondarytypesofdeviance.Primarydeviancereferstotheactualbehaviorconsidereddeviant,whilesecondarydevianceishowacultureconsequentlylabelsandrespondstothebehavior.SocialConflictandDevianceSocialConflictTheoryconsiderstherolesofeconomics,particularlycapitalistsystems,andtheirrelationshiptosociallydeviantbehavior.GermanphilosopherKarlMarxbelievedthatcapitalistsocietiesexploitedtheworkingclassinfavoroftheruling(andfinanciallywell-off)class.Thisexploitationleadstoinequalitybetweendifferenteconomicclasses.FrenchphilosopherMichelFoucaultheldthebeliefthatnormswereestablishedbythosewithwealthinordertolabelandprovideconsequencesforthosewhochosetodeviatefromthoseimposednorms.Theseconsequencesweremeanttocontroltheactionsofcommonpeopleandtopromotecapitalistideals.StevenSpitzeralsobelievedthatindividualswhodeviatedfromthenormwerelabeled,becausetheiractionsinterferedwiththegoalsofcapitalism. KarlMarx ApplyingtheSociologicalDefinitionofDevianceThesociologicaldefinitionofsocialdeviancereferstocertainbehaviorsthatarefoundtobechallengingofsocialnorms.Manyofthelawsmadebythelegislativesystem,whichareenforcedbythecriminaljusticesystem,aredesignedtoprovidepunitiveconsequencestothosewhodeviatefromtheseformalsocialnorms.Socialconflicttheoristsbelievethatmanylawsaredesignedtoprotecttheinterestsofacapitalistsystem,whichdeviantactionsliketheftinterferewith.Thecriminaljusticesystemhasamorepunitivenature,whileitissupposedtoproviderehabilitativeservices.Individualswhocommitcrimesarestilloftenstuckwithlifelonglabelsandanaccompanyingstigma,orlabelwhichcanleadtodiscrimination.Manysociologicaltheoristsbelievethatpunishingdevianceisaformofsocialcontrol,orawaytocompelmostindividualstoconformtocertainsocietalstandards.LessonSummarySocialdeviancereferstobehaviorsexhibitedbypeoplewhichfalloutsideofwhatareconsideredsocietalnorms.Normsareconsideredtobeappropriateactionswithinthecontextoftheculturebeingexamined.Sanctionsareconsequenceswhichareimposedbyothersforactionsconsideredtobedeviant.Deviance,andtheaccompanyingconsequences,maybeformalorinformal.Formaldevianceentailsviolationoflawswhileactionsofinformaldeviancesimplyviolatesocialcustoms,oretiquette.ThedifferenttheoriesinsociologywhichsoughttoexaminesocialdevianceareStructuralFunctionalism,SymbolicInteractionTheory,andSocialConflictTheory.StructuralfunctionalistRobertK.Mertonposited,inStrainTheory,thatindividualsbehavedeviantlyinordertoachievesociallyacceptedgoals,ifthesegoalscannotbeattainedinthetraditionalmanner.Suchindividualswhobehavedeviantlyinordertoachievethesegoalsarereferredtoasinnovators,whilethosewhodonotbreachsocietalrulesarecalledconformists.Symbolicinteractiontheoryisatheorythatlooksathowdevianceisdefinedinday-to-daysituations,.Labelingtheoristspositedthatbothprimaryandsecondaryformsofdevianceexists.Primarydevianceoccurswhentheactualdeviantactionsareperformed,andsecondarydevianceoccurswhenthebehaviorislabeledbyothers.Labelingtheoryalsopositsthatbehavioritselfisnotnecessarilydeviant,buthowothersrespondtothebehavior. Speedingisnotgenerallyconsidereddeviant. TheoriesandExamplesofDevianceDeviance,likeconformity,isshapedbysociety.Ingeneral,therearethreesocialfoundationsofdeviance:structuralfunctionalism,symbolicinteractionandsocialconflict.StructuralFunctionalismEmileDurkheimisconsideredthe'father'ofthestructural-functionalperspective.Inthisperspective,societyisseenasacomplicatedsystemwherestabilityispromotedwhencomplexpartsworktogether.Durkheimmadethesurprisingstatementthatdeviancehasmanypositivefunctionsforasociety.Forexample,hebelievedthatdeviancecanactuallybringpeopletogetherinasociety.Rememberhowpatriotismsurgedafter9/11?Thiscouldbeconsidereddeviantbecausesuchanextremelevelofpatriotismwasoutsidethenorm.Thisisjustoneexampleofhoweventhemostdeviantofactionscanhelpbringpeopletogetherandcanclarifyculturalnormsandvalues.Asecondstructuralfunctionalist,RobertK.Merton,developedstraintheory.Mertonbelievedthatthestraintheorybetweenourculture'semphasisonwealthandthelimitedopportunitytogetrichgivesrise(especiallyamongthepoor)totheft,thesaleofdrugsandotherstreetcrime.Mertonwouldcallthosewhouseunconventionalmeans(sellingdrugs)toachieveculturally-approvedgoals(financialsecurity)innovators.Conformistspursuethoseconventionalgoalsthroughapprovedmeans,suchasgoingtocollegeandgettingagoodjob.SymbolicInteractionThesymbolic-interactionapproachexplainshowpeopledefinedevianceineverydaysituations.Onetheoryinparticular,labelingtheory,assertsthatdevianceandconformityarenottheresultofwhatwenecessarilydo,buthowothersrespondtowhatwedo.Asapartofthistheory,thereisaprimaryandsecondarydeviance.Primarydeviancereferstopassingepisodesofdeviantbehaviorthatmostpeopleparticipatein.Secondarydevianceiswhensomeonemakessomethingoutofthatdeviantbehaviorandisgivenanegativesociallabelthatchangesaperson'sself-conceptandsocialidentity.Wecallthisnegativelabelastigma.Todemonstratelabelingtheory,imaginetwo16-year-oldgirls.Bothgirlsaregoodstudents,goodathletesandhaveneverbeenintroublewiththelaw.Occasionally,bothgirlswillhaveafewdrinkswiththeirfriendsontheweekendorduringschoolbreaks(primarydeviance).Let'sfurtherassumethatoneofthegirlsgetscaughtdrinkingbythepolice.Sheisarrested,kickedoutofsportsandhastogothroughalcoholcounseling.Thedeviantactisthesame-thedifferenceisthatoneofthemgotcaughtandsomeoneelsemadesomethingoutofherdeviantbehavior(secondarydeviance). SocialConflictThesocial-conflictapproachlinksdeviancetosocialinequality:whoorwhatislabeled'deviant'dependsonwhichcategoriesofpeopleholdpowerinasociety.Didyoueverconsiderwhysomethingsareillegal,whileothersarenot?Asocialconflicttheoristwouldarguethatmanyactionsareconsidereddeviantbecausepeopleinpowerhavetheresourcestomakethoseactionsdeviant.Furthermore,thenormsofanysocietygenerallyreflecttheinterestsoftherichandpowerful,andthepowerfulpeoplehavetheresourcestoresistdeviantlabeling.OneexampleofthiscomesfromasocialconflicttheoristnamedStevenSpitzer.Inparticular,Spitzerarguedthatdeviantlabelsareappliedtothoseindividualswhointerferewiththeprocessesofcapitalism.Amaintenetofcapitalismistheprivatecontrolofwealth.Welabelthosewhothreatenthepropertyofothers-suchasthepoorwhostealfromtherich-asdeviant.Whatwedon'tconsiderarethosewealthypeoplewhotakeadvantageofthepoor-suchasthosewhoofferquickcashpaydayloanswithinflatedinterestrates.Societypositivelylabelsthosewhosupporttheoperationofcapitalism.WecelebratewinningathletesandwealthyCEOsbecausetheyexpressachievementandcompetition. Capitalismcanleadtoformsofdeviance. LessonSummary'Different'or'unexpected'arewordsoftenusedtodescribedeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Deviance,toasociologist,meansdeviatingfromthenormandcanbebiasedtowardthepositiveornegative.Therearethreemainwaystolookatdeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Thekeyinsightofthestructural-functionalapproachisthatdevianceisanecessaryelementofsocialorganization.Thesymbolic-interactionapproachexplainshowpeopledefinedevianceineverydaysituations.Finally,thesocial-conflictapproachlinksdeviancetosocialinequality:whoorwhatislabeled'deviant'dependsonwhichcategoriesofpeopleholdpowerinasociety.Straintheoryisthestrainbetweenourculture'semphasisonwealthandthelimitedopportunitytogetrichgivesrise(especiallyamongthepoor)totheft,thesaleofdrugsandotherstreetcrime.Labelingtheoryassertsthatdevianceandconformityarenottheresultofwhatwenecessarilydo,buttohowothersrespondtowhatwedo.LearningOutcomesAfteryou'vereviewedthisvideolesson,youshouldbeableto: Definedeviancefromasociologicalperspective Explainthethreesocialfoundationsofdeviance Describestraintheoryandlabelingtheory TounlockthislessonyoumustbeaStudy.comMember. Createyouraccount VideoTranscript DefinitionofDevianceWhenmostofusthinkofdeviantbehavior,wethinkofsomeonewhoisbreakingthelaworactingoutinanegativemanner.'Different'or'unexpected'arewordsoftenusedtodescribedeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Forourpurposes,deviantmeansdepartingfromthenorm,andtoasociologist,thatcanbebiasedtowardthepositiveornegative.Whiletherearecrimesthatarecertainlydeviantbecausetheyareoutsidethenorm(suchasmurder,rape,etc.),therearealsocrimesthatarenotdeviant.Takespeedingforexample.Itisn'tatallunexpectedtoseesomeonespeeding.Fromasociologicalperspective,speedingwouldnotbeconsidereddeviantinmostcitiesintheUnitedStates. Speedingisnotgenerallyconsidereddeviant. TheoriesandExamplesofDevianceDeviance,likeconformity,isshapedbysociety.Ingeneral,therearethreesocialfoundationsofdeviance:structuralfunctionalism,symbolicinteractionandsocialconflict.StructuralFunctionalismEmileDurkheimisconsideredthe'father'ofthestructural-functionalperspective.Inthisperspective,societyisseenasacomplicatedsystemwherestabilityispromotedwhencomplexpartsworktogether.Durkheimmadethesurprisingstatementthatdeviancehasmanypositivefunctionsforasociety.Forexample,hebelievedthatdeviancecanactuallybringpeopletogetherinasociety.Rememberhowpatriotismsurgedafter9/11?Thiscouldbeconsidereddeviantbecausesuchanextremelevelofpatriotismwasoutsidethenorm.Thisisjustoneexampleofhoweventhemostdeviantofactionscanhelpbringpeopletogetherandcanclarifyculturalnormsandvalues.Asecondstructuralfunctionalist,RobertK.Merton,developedstraintheory.Mertonbelievedthatthestraintheorybetweenourculture'semphasisonwealthandthelimitedopportunitytogetrichgivesrise(especiallyamongthepoor)totheft,thesaleofdrugsandotherstreetcrime.Mertonwouldcallthosewhouseunconventionalmeans(sellingdrugs)toachieveculturally-approvedgoals(financialsecurity)innovators.Conformistspursuethoseconventionalgoalsthroughapprovedmeans,suchasgoingtocollegeandgettingagoodjob.SymbolicInteractionThesymbolic-interactionapproachexplainshowpeopledefinedevianceineverydaysituations.Onetheoryinparticular,labelingtheory,assertsthatdevianceandconformityarenottheresultofwhatwenecessarilydo,buthowothersrespondtowhatwedo.Asapartofthistheory,thereisaprimaryandsecondarydeviance.Primarydeviancereferstopassingepisodesofdeviantbehaviorthatmostpeopleparticipatein.Secondarydevianceiswhensomeonemakessomethingoutofthatdeviantbehaviorandisgivenanegativesociallabelthatchangesaperson'sself-conceptandsocialidentity.Wecallthisnegativelabelastigma.Todemonstratelabelingtheory,imaginetwo16-year-oldgirls.Bothgirlsaregoodstudents,goodathletesandhaveneverbeenintroublewiththelaw.Occasionally,bothgirlswillhaveafewdrinkswiththeirfriendsontheweekendorduringschoolbreaks(primarydeviance).Let'sfurtherassumethatoneofthegirlsgetscaughtdrinkingbythepolice.Sheisarrested,kickedoutofsportsandhastogothroughalcoholcounseling.Thedeviantactisthesame-thedifferenceisthatoneofthemgotcaughtandsomeoneelsemadesomethingoutofherdeviantbehavior(secondarydeviance). SocialConflictThesocial-conflictapproachlinksdeviancetosocialinequality:whoorwhatislabeled'deviant'dependsonwhichcategoriesofpeopleholdpowerinasociety.Didyoueverconsiderwhysomethingsareillegal,whileothersarenot?Asocialconflicttheoristwouldarguethatmanyactionsareconsidereddeviantbecausepeopleinpowerhavetheresourcestomakethoseactionsdeviant.Furthermore,thenormsofanysocietygenerallyreflecttheinterestsoftherichandpowerful,andthepowerfulpeoplehavetheresourcestoresistdeviantlabeling.OneexampleofthiscomesfromasocialconflicttheoristnamedStevenSpitzer.Inparticular,Spitzerarguedthatdeviantlabelsareappliedtothoseindividualswhointerferewiththeprocessesofcapitalism.Amaintenetofcapitalismistheprivatecontrolofwealth.Welabelthosewhothreatenthepropertyofothers-suchasthepoorwhostealfromtherich-asdeviant.Whatwedon'tconsiderarethosewealthypeoplewhotakeadvantageofthepoor-suchasthosewhoofferquickcashpaydayloanswithinflatedinterestrates.Societypositivelylabelsthosewhosupporttheoperationofcapitalism.WecelebratewinningathletesandwealthyCEOsbecausetheyexpressachievementandcompetition. Capitalismcanleadtoformsofdeviance. LessonSummary'Different'or'unexpected'arewordsoftenusedtodescribedeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Deviance,toasociologist,meansdeviatingfromthenormandcanbebiasedtowardthepositiveornegative.Therearethreemainwaystolookatdeviancefromasociologicalperspective.Thekeyinsightofthestructural-functionalapproachisthatdevianceisanecessaryelementofsocialorganization.Thesymbolic-interactionapproachexplainshowpeopledefinedevianceineverydaysituations.Finally,thesocial-conflictapproachlinksdeviancetosocialinequality:whoorwhatislabeled'deviant'dependsonwhichcategoriesofpeopleholdpowerinasociety.Straintheoryisthestrainbetweenourculture'semphasisonwealthandthelimitedopportunitytogetrichgivesrise(especiallyamongthepoor)totheft,thesaleofdrugsandotherstreetcrime.Labelingtheoryassertsthatdevianceandconformityarenottheresultofwhatwenecessarilydo,buttohowothersrespondtowhatwedo.LearningOutcomesAfteryou'vereviewedthisvideolesson,youshouldbeableto: Definedeviancefromasociologicalperspective Explainthethreesocialfoundationsofdeviance Describestraintheoryandlabelingtheory TounlockthislessonyoumustbeaStudy.comMember. Createyouraccount FrequentlyAskedQuestions Whatdoesdeviancemeaninsociology? Deviance,inregardtosociology,meansdeviatingfromsocietalnorms.Thiscanincludeformaldeviance,whichincludesbreakinglaws,andinformaldeviancewhereasocialcodeofconductisbroken,likebeinginpublicwhilepresentingwithbodyodor. Whatarethetypesofdevianceinsociology? Devianceinsociologycanbeformal,andincludeprosecutableoffences,orinformal,wherecertainsocialetiquetteisbreachedbutlawsarenotbroken.AnexampleofinformaldevianceinAmericanculturewouldbehavingfacetattoos. Registertoviewthislesson Areyouastudentorateacher? Iamastudent Iamateacher UnlockYourEducation Seeforyourselfwhy30millionpeopleuseStudy.com BecomeaStudy.commemberandstartlearningnow. BecomeaMember Alreadyamember?LogIn  Back Resourcescreatedbyteachersforteachers Over30,000videolessons &teachingresources‐all inoneplace. Videolessons Quizzes&Worksheets ClassroomIntegration LessonPlans IwoulddefinitelyrecommendStudy.comtomycolleagues.It’slikeateacherwavedamagicwandanddidtheworkforme.Ifeellikeit’salifeline. JenniferB. Teacher Tryitnow Back Createanaccount DevianceinSociology:Concept&Behavior|WhatIsDeviantBehavior? Starttoday.Tryitnow SocialPsychology:HelpandReview 10chapters| 231lessons {{courseNav.course.topics.length}}chapters| {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}lessons |{{course.flashcardSetCount}} flashcardset{{course.flashcardSetCoun>1?'s':''}} Ch1. IntroductiontoSocialPsychology:Help... Goto IntroductiontoSocialPsychology:HelpandReview Ch2. ResearchMethodsandEthics:Helpand... Goto ResearchMethodsandEthics:HelpandReview Ch3. SocialCognition&Perception:Helpand... Goto SocialCognition&Perception:HelpandReview Ch4. TheSelfinaSocialContext:Helpand... Goto TheSelfinaSocialContext:HelpandReview Ch5. AttitudesandPersuasion:HelpandReview TheABCModelofAttitudes:Affect,Behavior&Cognition 7:20 Implicitvs.ExplicitAttitudes:Definition,Examples&Pros/Cons 7:52 ElaborationLikelihoodModelofPersuasion:Centralvs.PeripheralRoute 7:53 HowEmotionInfluencesAttitudesandPersuasion 9:07 TypesofPersuasionTechniques:HowtoInfluencePeople 9:10 SubliminalMessages:Definition,Examples&Validity 6:15 AttitudeInoculation:Definition,Explanation&Examples 5:28 TheoryofPlannedBehavior:Definition,Examples&Usefulness 5:56 DevianceinSociology:Definition,Theories&Examples 6:44 4:34 NextLesson AttitudeFormationTheoryinPsychology CentralRoutetoPersuasion:Definition&Examples 3:08 PeripheralRoutetoPersuasion:Definition&Overview 3:18 SecondaryDeviance:Definition&Examples 5:45 TheSpotlightEffectinPsychology SituationalAttribution:Definition&Examples 4:47 ColorPsychology:Tests&Experiments 4:58 WhatisComplianceinPsychology? 5:53 Egoism&Altruism 6:08 HowAdvertisingTargetsChildren 4:49 WhatisAnti-Intellectualism? WhatisWillpower? NonverbalSignsofAggression TheConnectionBetweenLowSelf-Esteem&Bullying 5:13 Autism&LowSelf-Esteem Goto AttitudesandPersuasion:HelpandReview Ch6. GroupDecisions:HelpandReview Goto GroupDecisions:HelpandReview Ch7. Attraction&CloseRelationships:Help... Goto Attraction&CloseRelationships:HelpandReview Ch8. Stereotypes,Prejudice,&... Goto Stereotypes,Prejudice,&Discrimination:HelpandReview Ch9. AppliedSocialPsychology:Helpand... Goto AppliedSocialPsychology:HelpandReview Ch10. RecognizingAbuse&Neglect Goto RecognizingAbuse&Neglect DevianceinSociology:Concept&Behavior|WhatIsDeviantBehavior?RelatedStudyMaterials RecommendedLessonsandCoursesforYou RelatedLessons RelatedCourses RelatedLessons DevianceTheories&Types|WhatisDevianceinSociology? SociologicalResearch:Approaches&Designs Parent-TeacherConferences:TipsforTeachers SocialSkillsDevelopment&Importance|HowtoImproveSocialSkills DeviantBehaviorOverview,Types&Examples|WhatisDevianceinSociety? SexualIdentityvs.GenderIdentity|Overview&Differences Theory&Crime:Labeling&Social-ConflictTheories SociologyOverview&Importance|WhatMakesUpSociology? LabelingTheoryofDeviance:Definition&Examples CriticalThinkinginEducationSkills&Strategies|HowtoTeachCriticalthinking SocialPathology:DefinitionandTheory SecondaryDevianceConcept&Examples|WhatisSecondaryDeviance? PrejudiceTheories,Types&Examples|WhatIsPrejudice? PrimaryDevianceOverview&Examples|WhatisPrimaryDeviance? SurveyStudyinPsychologyConcept&Design|WhatisaSurveyStudy? PerspectivesofPopulationGrowth:Easterlin,Davis&Mill DomesticViolenceOverview&Effects|WhatisDomesticViolence? Alcoholism:Causes,Symptoms,Effects&Treatment CrimeandDevianceintheU.S.CriminalJusticeSystem:PunishmentandDueProcess DeviantSubcultureExamples,Theory&Facts RelatedCourses ResearchMethodsinPsychology:HelpandReview IntroductiontoPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource AbnormalPsychology:HelpandReview AbnormalPsychology:TutoringSolution AbnormalPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource Psychology104:SocialPsychology Psychology106:AbnormalPsychology IntrotoPsychology:HelpandReview SocialPsychology:TutoringSolution SocialPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource IntroductiontoEducationalPsychology:CertificateProgram EducationalPsychology:HelpandReview EducationalPsychology:TutoringSolution IntroductiontoPsychology:TutoringSolution EducationalPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource UExcelResearchMethodsinPsychology:StudyGuide&TestPrep ResearchMethodsinPsychology:CertificateProgram ResearchMethodsinPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource ResearchMethodsinPsychology:TutoringSolution UExcelAbnormalPsychology:StudyGuide&TestPrep RelatedTopics BrowsebyCourses EducationalPsychologyforTeachers:ProfessionalDevelopment APPsychology:HomeschoolCurriculum Psychology102:EducationalPsychology HumanGrowthandDevelopment:TutoringSolution UExcelSocialPsychology:StudyGuide&TestPrep HumanGrowthandDevelopment:HomeworkHelpResource SocialPsychology:HelpandReview SocialPsychology:TutoringSolution SocialPsychology:HomeworkHelpResource EducationalPsychology:TutoringSolution CLEPHumanGrowthandDevelopment:StudyGuide&TestPrep HumanGrowthandDevelopment:CertificateProgram ResearchMethodsinPsychology:HelpandReview AbnormalPsychology:CertificateProgram AbnormalPsychology:TutoringSolution BrowsebyLessons AnneTreisman&FeatureIntegrationTheory AngerManagementTechniquesforChildren ImpactofMediaUseonChildrenandYouth MediaViolenceandChildren ActivitiesforKidswithADHD ImaginaryFriendsinChildPsychology WhatistheAbecedarianProject? WhatisaWellChildVisit?-Schedule&Importance BenefitsofExerciseforChildren ChildSuicide:Statistics&Prevention ChildrenTalkingtoThemselves CognitiveImpairmentinChildren AmbivalentSexism:Definition&Inventory WhyDoPeopleBully? HowtoPlayRugby:Rules&Positions Createanaccounttostartthiscoursetoday Usedbyover30millionstudentsworldwide Createanaccount Likethislesson Share Exploreourlibraryofover84,000 lessons Search Browse Browsebysubject CollegeCourses Business English ForeignLanguage History Humanities Math Science SocialScience SeeAllCollegeCourses HighSchoolCourses AP CommonCore GED HighSchool SeeAllHighSchoolCourses OtherCourses College&CareerGuidanceCourses CollegePlacementExams EntranceExams GeneralTestPrep K-8Courses SkillsCourses TeacherCertificationExams SeeAllOtherCourses Upgradetoenroll × Enrollinginacourseletsyouearnprogressbypassingquizzesandexams. Trackcourseprogress Takequizzesandexams Earncertificatesofcompletion Youwillalsobeableto: CreateaGoal Createcustomcourses Getyourquestionsanswered UpgradetoPremiumtoaddallthesefeaturestoyouraccount! UpgradeNow UpgradetoPremiumtoaddallthesefeaturestoyouraccount! ×