Deviant Behavior | Definition, Types & Examples
Table of Contents
- Deviant Behavior: Definition and Meaning
- Types of Deviant Behavior
- Deviance in Society
- Deviance and Culture
- Lesson Summary
What is the meaning of deviant behavior?
The meaning of deviant behavior is actions or behaviors that go against social norms or expectations. Social norms are unwritten rules that a society or culture deems as acceptable. Any behavior that violates social norms or formal laws is considered deviant.
What is an example of deviance behavior?
Deviant behavior can be informal or formal. An example of informal deviant behavior would be picking your nose in public or standing too close to another person. An example of formal deviant behavior would be stealing a car or committing murder.
What is a deviant behavior in society?
A deviant behavior in society is one that goes against social norms or laws established by society. Examples of deviant behavior in society may include alcoholism, underage drinking, eating disorders, and sex exploitation.
Table of Contents
- Deviant Behavior: Definition and Meaning
- Types of Deviant Behavior
- Deviance in Society
- Deviance and Culture
- Lesson Summary
The deviant behavior definition refers to actions or behaviors that violate social norms or expectations. Social norms are unwritten rules that guide behavior and are considered acceptable by certain social groups or cultures. The deviant behavior meaning comes from the term ''deviate,'' which means to stray from a normal or acceptable behavior or action. Deviant behavior is often referred to as a deviant action.
Deviant actions or behaviors can be caused by a variety of factors, such as personality disorders, improper learning abilities, lack of strong role models, and poor conditioning. Deviant behavior can be as simple as dressing differently, such as wearing gothic clothing, or as serious as burning someone's house down. There are various forms of deviant behavior, which can differ between varying societies and cultures.
There are two main types of deviant behavior: formal and informal deviant behavior. Formal deviant behavior refers to actions that violate formal laws, whereas informal deviant behavior refers to actions that violate social norms. Both formal and informal deviant behavior can result in negative consequences. For example, formal deviant behavior can result in legal fines and arrest and informal deviant behavior can result in being stigmatized and ostracized by society.
Deviant Behavior Examples
Deviant behavior is categorized as either formal or informal based on the rules or social norms that the actions or behaviors violate. Formal deviant behavior examples include:
- Breaking into a neighbor's house
- Stealing candy from a local grocery store
- Domestic violence
- Drinking under the influence
- Drug trafficking
- Committing murder
Informal deviant behavior examples include:
- Wearing your underwear outside of your clothing
- Burping loudly in public
- Standing too close to another person
- Nose picking in public places
- Showing up late to an important event or appointment
- Talking with food in the mouth
Deviance in society can vary depending on which behaviors society has deemed as deviant and which behaviors are deemed as normal. Each society makes its own determinations regarding deviant behaviors. There are formal laws and rules, and informal social norms in each society that aim to prohibit people from committing deviant acts. Often, people who engage in deviant actions or behaviors are viewed negatively by society and are usually punished or ostracized.
Although deviance in society is generally viewed as being negative, there are positive aspects that can result from deviant behavior in society. For example, deviant behavior can lead to social change. It is not uncommon for a behavior that was once considered as deviant to be viewed as acceptable. It can also help people to adjust to certain changes, such as changes in fashion trends or lifestyle changes. Furthermore, deviance in society can allow certain groups and individuals to raise awareness regarding certain issues. For example, holding rallies to gain attention regarding child sex trafficking.
Examples of Deviant Acts in Society
The actions or behaviors that one society considers as deviant may not be considered deviant by another society. Although deviant acts may differ between societies, there are some actions and behaviors that are considered unacceptable across all societies. Examples of deviant acts in society include:
- Alcoholism
- Drug addiction
- Eating disorders
- Exploitive sex
- Gambling addiction
- Self-harm
- Drinking alcohol under the legal age
What is considered a deviant behavior can change based on a person's culture. Behaviors that are acceptable in one culture may be unacceptable in another culture. For example, in the United States, it is acceptable behavior to give a thumbs up; however, in Russia and Greece, the same gesture is considered offensive. Additionally, in the United States, it is acceptable to laugh with your mouth open; however, in Japan, it is impolite to show your teeth when laughing. Furthermore, in China, it is considered deviant behavior to hug another person; however, in the United States, hugging is a common way to greet and say goodbye to someone.
Within the same culture, a specific action or behavior can be viewed as both deviant and acceptable, depending on certain circumstances. For example, committing murder is considered a deviant behavior; however, in war, murder is not viewed as a deviant behavior. In addition, it is considered deviant behavior for a grown adult to use a public restroom meant for the opposite gender; however, it is acceptable for a child to use the opposite gender's restroom when accompanied by a parent.
Deviant Behaviors That are Now Acceptable
There are various behaviors and actions that were once considered deviant but are now considered acceptable. The shift from deviant behavior to acceptable behavior is due to the evolvement of social norms. Overtime, social norms can change due to the passing of laws, advancements in medicine and technology, and shifting of personal views. Deviant behaviors that are now acceptable include:
- Having tattoos
- Being a single parent
- Having a vegan diet
- Undergoing plastic surgery
- Same sex marriages
- Marijuana consumption
- Women who work outside of the home
Additionally, there are behaviors and actions that were once considered acceptable that are now considered as deviant, such as:
- Slavery
- Smoking in public places
- Spanking a child
- Sexism
Deviant behavior, also known as deviant action, are acts that violate social norms or expectations. Social norms are unwritten rules that influence behavior and are established as acceptable or unacceptable by society or culture. What is considered a deviant behavior can change based on a person's culture. Behaviors that are considered acceptable in one culture, may not be acceptable in another. For example, in the United States, it is acceptable to give a thumbs up; however, giving the thumbs up in Russia is offensive. There are formal laws and rules, and informal social norms in each society that aim to prohibit people from committing deviant acts. Each society determines which behaviors are considered deviant and which behaviors are normal. Examples of deviant behavior in society may include drug addiction, underage drinking, and sex exploitation.
There are two types of deviant behavior, which are categorized based on the rules that the behavior violates. Formal deviant behavior refers to actions or behaviors that violate established laws. Examples of formal deviant behavior include breaking into a neighbor's house, stealing candy from a local store, domestic abuse, and committing murder. Informal deviant behavior refers to actions or behaviors that violate social norms. Examples of informal deviant behavior include wearing your underwear on the outside of your clothing, belching loudly in public, talking with food in the mouth, and showing up late to an appointment. Deviant behaviors can change overtime. For example, same sex marriages and being a single parent used to be considered deviant behaviors, but are now widely accepted.
Video Transcript
Deviant Acts: Definition and Examples
Jane and Molly were childhood friends who grew up in the same neighborhood. Like most teenage girls in their neighborhood, Jane and Molly had bubbly personalities, wore a lot of bright colors, and had optimistic personalities. During their junior year in high school, Jane began hanging with a group of friends who were known for breaking the rules. Jane became upset with a teacher and, at her new friends' encouragement, decided to start a small fire outside the teacher's house.
However the wind picked up, causing the fire to spread fast and destroy the entire house. Jane was eventually arrested and charged with arson. After Jane's arrest, Molly's personality changed. Molly dyed her hair jet black, dressed in all black clothing, and wore black lipstick. This made Molly stand out from the rest of her community and caused much tension between Molly and her parents. Both Molly's and Jane's behaviors are examples of deviant acts in society.
Deviant behaviors, or deviant acts in society refer to behaviors that violate social norms and expectations. Deviance can be something as small as dressing in gothic clothing or something as serious as burning someone's house down. Each society has formal laws and rules, and informal social norms in place that aim to deter people from committing deviant acts.
For example, there is a written law that states that arson is a punishable crime (formal law). Though there is not a written law, dressing in all black clothing and makeup violates the dress code that the members of Molly's neighborhood follow (informal social norm). So who determines what behaviors are deviant?
Deviance and Culture
What is considered deviant behavior changes depending upon the culture. Since our culture varies based on where we are (i.e. the culture in the U.S. is different from the culture in Brazil), it follows that deviant acts vary based on where we are. Each society makes its own determinations as to what behaviors are deviant and what behaviors are normal. For example, in America, it is perfectly acceptable to use your index finger to point at someone or to beckon them. However, in China, this behavior is considered demeaning and especially deviant when aimed at elders.
There are also variations of what is considered deviant within the same culture. For example, committing an act of murder in the U.S. is considered deviant (to say the least). However, if you are in the U.S. Army fighting in a war, murder would not be deviant. It is considered deviant for a healthy 30-year-old male to use the bathroom on himself and not clean it up, but it is not considered deviant if you are a healthy one-year-old infant male.
Lesson Summary
Deviant acts are those that go against social norms or expectations. Deviant acts include minor violations, such as dressing in all black clothing, and serious violations, such as committing murder. What is considered deviant depends on your culture. Other factors, such as age and location, also influence what is considered deviant.
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