SOCI 1003 Lecture : Sociological Questions about Deviance and Crime
28 Jul 2014
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Can be behaviour/ belief / condition that strays or differs from the norm. Does not necessarily mean wrong, perverted or abnormal. Is a relative category that changes with time, place and culture. Ex homosexuality as a type of mental illness 1952. Definitions of deviance can also reflect what people consider reasonable and desirable. Cultural and social norms provide a model for how we should behave. Deviance is about social regulation and continuity. If there were no norms in society, then it would be impossible to have a stable and functioning society. If there was no deviance in society then society would not change. There is a seldom total agreement within culture/society about what is deviant. Contested deviance is known as conflict deviance. Social constructionism proposes that elements of social life (including deviance, as well as gender, race and other elements ) are not natural but are established or created by society or culture. Definitions/ideas of deviance are created by society.
