DEVIANCE What is it WHAT IS DEVIANCE Deviance

DEVIANCE What is it?

WHAT IS DEVIANCE Deviance- is the recognized violation of cultural norms or social roles § Norms-guide almost all of human activity so the concept of deviance is quite broad. § Social Roles-specific behaviors as defined by the role you have in society. (Male, Female, Rich, Poor, Doctor, Skater) § Crime- the violation of a society’s formally enacted criminal law. § Deviance is non-conformity. It comes in many shapes and sizes

MANY TYPES OF DEVIANCE The most familiar examples of nonconformity are negative instances of rule breaking § stealing from the campus bookstore § Assaulting a fellow student § Driving while intoxicated However we also define especially righteous people as deviant § The student that always comments and speaks up too much in class § People who are overly enthusiastic about school projects

DEVIANCE What deviant actions or attitudes, whether negative or positive, have in common is some element of difference that causes us to think of another person as an “outsider” Not all deviance involves action or even choice, The existence of some categories of people can be troublesome to others. § To the young, the elderly seem hopelessly “out of it” “out of touch” § To some whites, people of color may cause discomfort § Some able-bodied people may view people with disabilities or obesity as an out-group § Rich may shun the poor falling short of their standards

DEVIANT VS. ILLEGAL Not all deviant things are illegal. Not all illegal things are deviant Some are both. What things have you done that fit into these categories?

Illegal Sexting “low-riding pants Recreational drug use Cross-dressing Tax evasion Minor Traffic Violation Divorce Homosexuality Cohabitation Suicide Date Rape Deviant Believing that UFOs are alien spacecraft Using prescribed medical marijuana Athiesm Computer hacking Promiscuity (Male/Female)