CONFORMITY

AND
DEVIANCE
Conformity
Conformity is the act of
matching attitudes, beliefs,
and behaviors to group
norms. Norms are implicit,
specific rules, shared by a
group of individuals, that
guide their interactions with
others.
Deviance
In sociology, deviance describes an action
or behavior that violates social norms,
including a formally enacted rule  as well as
informal violations of social norms Although
deviance may have a negative connotation,
the violation of social norms is not always a
negative action; positive deviation exists in
some situations. Although a norm is
violated, a behavior can still be classified as
positive or acceptable.
⚫ The identification of oneself in society is
always relative to his/her existing
environment.Social role must be performed
in connection with the expected
behavior.Erving Gofmann in his book.The
Presentation of Self in Everyday Life.tried to
show how certain social processes modify
the presentaion of self and the impact of
role expectations on the behavior of an
individual.To goffman everyone is consiously
playing a role
 Different
Types
of Conformity
Compliance
(Group acceptance).This occurs when
an individual accepts influence
because he hopes to achieve a
favorable reaction from another
person or a group.He adopts the
induced behavior because he expects
to gain specific rewards or approval
and avoids specific punishment or
dissapproval by conformity.
Internalization
(Genuine acceptance of Social norms).This
occurs when an individual accepts influence
because the content of the induced behavior the
ideas and actions of which is composed
intrinsically rewarding.He adopts the induced
behavior because it is congruent or consistent
with his value system,Internalization always
involved public and private conformity.A person
publicly changes his behavior to fit in with the
group while also aggreeing with others
privately.This is the deepese level of conformity
where the beliefs of the groups become the part
of the individual’s own belief system.
Identification
(Group membership) This occurs when
an individual accepets influence
because he wants to establish or
maintain satisfying self defining
relationship to another person or
group.Individuals conform to the
expectations of a social
role.Ex.Nurse;police officrs.It is similar
to compliance as there does not have
to be change in private opinion.
Ingragational
This occurs when a person conforms
to impress or gain favor/acceptance
from other people.It is similar to
normative influence but it is motivated
by the need for social rewards rather
than the threat of rejection;group
pressure does not enter the decision
to conform
Functions of
Deviance
Deviance serves as an
outlet for diverse forms of
expressions.
Deviance serves to define
the limits of acceptable
behavior.
Deviance may also
promote in group
solidarity.
Deviance can serve as a
barometer of social strain
Sociological
Theories of
Deviance
Functionalist Theory
According to emile Durkheim deviance can serve a number
of functions for society.He gave four major functions of
deviance
a.Deviance affirms cultural values and
norms
b.Reponding to deviance clarifies moral
boundary.
c.Responding to deviance promots social
unity
d.Deviance encourages social change.
Strain Theory
Forms of deviance that emerge from strain
a.Conformity-It involves accepting both the cultural goal of
succes ang the use of ligitimate means for achieving that goal.
b.Innovation-This response involves accepting the goal of success
but rejecting the use of socially accepted means of achieving it
turning instead to unconventional,illigitemate neans.
c.Ritualism-This occurs when people deemphasize or reject the
importance of success once they realize they willl never achieve it
and instead concentrate on following or enforcing these rules tha
ever intended.
d.Retreatism-This means withdrawal from society caring neither
about success nor about working.
d.Rebellion-This occurs when people reject and attempt to
change both the goals and the means approved by sociey.
Control Theory
Travis Hirshi assume that the
family school and other social
institution can greatly
contribute to social order by
controlling deviant
tendencies in every
individual.
Social Control of Deviance
Two types of sanctions

Informal sanctions
-These are unofficial often casual pressures to conform
-Positive informal sanction involve reward for conformity or
compliance
-Negative or informal sactions involve penalties for not
conforming.
Formal Sanctions
-These are unofficial institutionalized incentives to conform
and penalties for deviance
-These are needed in large complex societies.
-The criminal justice system is the most important and
visible institution of social control.
-These may take the form of arrest,pre trial sentencing or
imprisonment