Deviance Theories Paper

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Apr 3, 2024

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Corinna Arabia-Meyer SOC340 11/4/17 Deviance Theories Paper Question 1: Explain what deviance is socially constructed means. Discuss 2 types of positive deviance and 2 types of negative deviance which are socially constructed in the United States. Provide examples of each . Deviance is any kind of nonadherence with the norm, or in other words deviance represents the behavior, or should I say misbehavior, of an outsider or miscreant in society. One may question how someone is defined as deviant, and wonder what it is that makes them so. This concept is discussed in Becker’s labelling theory, which delves into why deviance occurs in the first place; it is created by social groups who define those who break their rules as “deviant”. Becker proposes that those who do not adhere to the guidelines established by these societal formations are labelled as outsiders and therefore explains that deviant behavior itself is merely a behavior that society has applied a label(Becker, 40-41). The idea of deviance is therefore a social construct within itself. Without the bounds and limitations which a society sets for itself, a nonconformist, or one who defies these boundaries, is considered a deviant archetype. However, not all deviant behaviors are considered bad or evil. Because deviance is socially constructed, it is also situation-based; depending on which member of that society experiences the behavior, who it is performed by, and under what circumstance. As Becker explains, deviance is not a quality that lies in behavior itself, but instead it lies in the interaction between whoever commits the act and whoever responds to it(Becker, 42). As one can guess, this leads to different ideologies about different “deviant” behaviors; some deemed as positive and some as negative.

Regardless, however, this just goes to further prove that society is what deems a behavior as deviant or not. Negative deviance is viewed as deviant behavior(nonconformity or overconformity) which is negatively evaluated by the audience, while positive deviance is described as the overconformity or hyper conformity which is positively evaluated(Heckert and Heckert, 28-29). For example, a negative deviant act could refer to drunk drivers. They are not adhering to the law prohibiting driving while intoxicated, and are therefore met with a negative response. Likewise, criminals such as burglars or rapists are also met with negative responses due to the degree of nonconformity and type of crime committed. In the United States, we value honesty, responsibility and peaceful behavior as common norms. Therefore, these examples mentioned are negatively viewed because they defy these norms, disrupt that peace, are highly irresponsible and lack prudence. On the other end of the spectrum, positive deviance examples are acts which overconform or hyper conform to norms. Actions such as working extra hard to be a straight A student, or becoming a monk or nun to prove one’s loyalty to their religion are deviant behaviors viewed as positives. Since the United States views responsibility and moderation as valued norms, any behavior which super adheres to these is deviance(Heckert and Heckert, 36). These actions are deviant in that they hyper conform(the student acting as an overachiever and being hyper responsible in order to get good grades), or overconform(the nun/monk who go overboard on the moderation norm). Both are deviant behaviors, but viewed positively. Question 2: Which theory(ies) or approach(es) from part 1 or 2 is(are) most surprising to you for explaining deviant behavior? Why? Provide an example of deviance or crime to explain.

The theory I find most surprising, but also accurate in terms of logic is Emile Durkheim’s view that crime as a very necessary and ultimately normal part of any society. He explains that it is inevitable, that the wickedness of man is incorrigible, and therefore crime/deviance becomes an integral part of every society’s public health(Durkheim, 74). I find this suprising as a theory explaining deviance because it is unique, nonuniform in nature, and goes just a step beyond the average explanations for crime in society. I agree with this theory wholly, as man is imperfect in nature and therefore society will reflect his flaws inevitably. Both man and society are bound, one made from another, and both will carry the characteristics of one another. Durkheim notes that without actual crime in society, flaws(however minor they may be) will be considered in the harshest sense because they will essentially take the place of “crime”(Durkheim, 75). This got me thinking in an entirely new way(which made this theory stand out to me), and I came to the conclusion that he is absolutely correct; a society cannot exist functionally without crime as a societal norm-one which is sanctioned based on degree and which is systematically handled based on circumstance. If crime did not exist, Durkheim explains, then “crimes” would be unknown, and instead a man’s faults would create the same social scandal that an ordinary crime would create(Durkheim, 75). For instance, if school system and educators never had to deal with cheaters, then even the slightest acts of nonuniformity would be considered deviant. In that respect, if cheaters did not exist in the school system, those who perhaps position themselves differently or look a little too long at another near them may be faced with the same judgement and consequence as the average “cheater” would. In essence, even the most innocent fault may result in an equally as severe punishment as a true crime would. Therefore, crime is essential in creating and maintaining a functional, well-rounded and balanced society.

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