Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is deviance?
What is deviance?
Deviance is a behavior that violates the standards of conduct or social norms of a group or society.
Which of the following is NOT a type of deviance?
Which of the following is NOT a type of deviance?
What are norms?
What are norms?
Norms are rules or guidelines regarding acceptable and appropriate behavior within a culture.
What are folkways?
What are folkways?
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Which of the following is an example of mores?
Which of the following is an example of mores?
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A ___ is a norm that evokes strong feelings of disgust or horror.
A ___ is a norm that evokes strong feelings of disgust or horror.
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What are sanctions?
What are sanctions?
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Who proposed the Strain Theory?
Who proposed the Strain Theory?
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What is a function of deviance according to the Structural-Functionalist Perspective?
What is a function of deviance according to the Structural-Functionalist Perspective?
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Study Notes
Understanding Deviance
- Deviance refers to behaviors that breach social norms or expectations of a group or society.
- What is considered deviant can vary widely between cultures.
- Sociologists classify deviance through social judgment rather than moral evaluation.
Types of Deviance
- Odd Behavior: Unconventional actions that may raise eyebrows but generally do not harm others.
- Admired Behavior: Actions that deviate from norms but are viewed positively by society.
- Bad Behavior: Actions that violate societal rules and are deemed harmful or unacceptable.
Norms and Sanctions
- Norms are rules that dictate acceptable behavior in a culture, consisting of formal and informal categories.
- Formal norms: Written laws (e.g., legal codes) or explicit organizational rules.
- Informal norms: Unwritten and unspoken cultural expectations.
Types of Norms
- Folkways: Mild norms with little serious repercussions when violated; often related to everyday etiquette (e.g., dressing appropriately, saying please and thank you).
- Mores: Strongly held societal rules that carry moral implications, with severe consequences for violation (e.g., theft, dishonesty, extramarital affairs).
- Taboo: Profoundly ingrained norms that provoke strong feelings of disgust when violated, varying significantly across cultures (e.g., addressing elders improperly, refusing a meal).
Sanctions
- Positive or negative reactions to adherence or violation of norms.
- Formal Sanctions: Imposed by authorities (e.g., grades from teachers).
- Informal Sanctions: Imposed by community members (e.g., social invitations or ostracism).
Theoretical Foundations of Social Deviance
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Structural-Functionalist Perspective (Emile Durkheim):
- Deviance is defined in relation to societal norms and contributes to social order.
- Functions of Deviance:
- Affirms cultural norms and values.
- Clarifies right from wrong.
- Unifies society against deviance.
- Promotes social change.
-
Strain Theory (Robert King Merton):
- Deviance arises from the strain and frustration individuals experience when unable to achieve universally accepted goals through legitimate means.
- Anomie: A state where social norms are confused or absent, leading to deviant behavior.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the concept of deviance in social work. This quiz covers definitions, behaviors that violate social norms, and variations of deviance across cultures. Understand the sociological perspective of deviance and its cultural implications.
