SOCIAL DEVIANCY

o Deviance refers to rule-breaking behavior of some kind which fails to conform to the norms and
expectations of a particular society or social group. Deviance is closely related to the concept of
crime, which is law breaking behavior. Criminal behavior is usually deviant, but not all deviant
behavior is criminal.
o Deviance is any behavior that violates cultural norms. Norms are social expectations that guide
human behavior. Deviance is often divided into two types of deviant activities. The first, crime is
the violation of formally enacted laws and is referred to as formal deviance.
o Examples of formal deviance would include robbery, theft, rape, murder, and assault, just to
name a few. The second type of deviant behavior refers to violations of informal social norms,
norms that have not been codified into law, and is referred to as informal deviance.
o Examples of informal deviance might include picking one's nose, belching loudly (in some
cultures), or standing too close to another unnecessarily (again, in some cultures).

Definition

 Objective – (of a person or their judgement) not influenced by personal feelings or

opinions in considering and representing facts.
 Subjective – Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.
 It is our perspective or viewpoint at looking at the deviance and if the act is objective or
subjective.

Objectivist Deviance (Norm Based)

- Objective Deviance Is conceptualized as a norm violation which have widespread across

societies. Examples: murder, rape, etc...
- It means a certain act is deviance because it violates the norm.
- Objectives knowledge is obtained from inductive logic (reasoning that takes specific
information and makes a broader generalization) and concept formation.
- According to objectivist, pursuit of happiness is the purpose of life. Respect to human life
is essential.

Subjective Approach (Labelled Based)

- Subjectivists view deviant behavior as the objects of socially norms and values.
- According to Howard S. Becker (American sociologist), deviance is not the quality of
the act, or a person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others
of rules and function to an offender. The deviant is one to whom the label has
successfully been applied.