Deviance Flashcards
Deviance
Behaviour that does not conform to the norms or values held by most members of a group or society. What is viewed as deviant varies across cultures and time.
Norms
Rules of conduct that specify appropriate behaviour in a given range of social situations. A norm either prescribes or forbids a type of behaviour.
Values
Ideas held by individuals or groups about what is desirable, proper, good and bad.
Social Control
The process of enforcing conformity and minimising deviancy using authority to enforce norms.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory of deviance
A sociological theory that interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society.
Affirmation of society’s cultural norms and values (Durkheim’s theory of deviance)
Deviancy identifies the value of a norm by differentiating between right and wrong behaviour and is used to justify the benefits of the norm.
Clarification of society’s moral boundaries (Durkheim’s theory of deviance)
Norms are understood when deviancy exposes their value to society.
Unification of others in society (Durkheim’s theory of deviance)
People with different opinions and beliefs are united by deviancy when it shows the extent to which they share common norms and values.
Encouraging social change (Durkheim’s theory of deviance)
Modern societies express greater levels of deviancy due to social structures allowing for greater differences in people’s beliefs and lifestyles. The diverse range of deviancies allows competition between norms promoting social change and innovation.
Social control theories of deviance
Theories that focus on people avoiding deviant behaviour.