SOCIAL DEVIANCE
MEANING AND NATURE OF DEVIANCE:-
The study of deviance cannot be undertaken without reference to norms. Norms are
prescribed standards which guide and regulate behaviour. They are accepted by the group and
shared by group members. For this reason, it is only with reference to norms that we can speak
of, or define deviance. Human society permits certain variations in the behaviour demanded by
the norms. Essentially these variations are well defined by the cultural norms of the society
concerned. When we speak of deviance we are essentially referring to norms violations or to that
behaviour which departs from some norms or standard of behaviour.
Difficulty in Defining Deviance:-
Norms are not the same everywhere. They vary from group to group, within a group, and
over a period of time. It is not easy to identify those behaviours that are universally defined as
departures from some norm or norms. For example, prostitution may be viewed as well as
defined by law as deviant behaviour in India and USA. Yet in certain European countries
prostitutes can operate openly in specific areas. Here we are taking a “relativistic view” of
deviation. Behaviours, notions and products of human interaction can be understood or evaluated
only within the context of the culture and society of which they are a part. A relativistic view of
deviance, implies that deviance can be interpreted only in the socio-cultural context in which it
occurs.Deviance is not absolute but relative to the social expectations, norms and rules of a
particular society.
Also, if an act is defined as deviant in one situation does not mean it is deviant in every
other situation. One of the most commonly accepted norms in many societies of the world is
“Thou shall not kill”. It is a crime or legal offence to take another person‟s life because that norm
is a law. But in a situation like war, a soldier is permitted to kill an enemy soldier. This kind of
behaviour is normative for soldiers in the war. Therefore, we can expect definitions of deviance
to vary with circumstances or situations.
Variations in the Definition of Deviance
Let us now consider some other important variations, that affect the definitions of deviance, and
contribute to the problem of defining deviance in terms of some universal factors.
i) Variation by Time
An act considered deviant in one time period may be considered non-deviant in another time
period in a society. For example, in India women pursuing collegiate education were defined as
“deviants” in the 19th century. But today, women pursuing higher education are not considered
deviants.
ii) Variation by Culture
Behaviour viewed as deviant in one location, or culture may be considered non-deviant in
another. In some cultures having more than one wife is permitted. It may signify the high
financial and social status of man. In some other societies monogamy is strictly prescribed, and
being married to more than one woman is a socially andlegally punishable offence.
iii) Variation by Social Position
Deviance can also vary with social status (the position in society that one occupies). Certain
behaviours are given greater approval for men than women.
Three Types of Deviance:
Sociologists have classified deviance in a variety of ways. Whatever be the basis of judging or
defining deviance, we may say that it is behaviour that is considered to be different from the
central behaviour expectations in a certain group. It is possible to list the following three types of
deviance (see Horton and Hunt 1981).
i) Cultural and Psychological Deviation
In cultural deviation one departs from the norms of a culture, while the psychological deviant
deviates from the norms in personality organisation, for example, the psychotic and neurotic.
Both categories may be found in the same person.
ii) Individual and Group Deviation
In individual deviation, the person deviates from the norms of a sub-culture. For example, a boy
belonging to an educated and respected family takes to drugs and becomes a school dropout. In
group deviation, the deviant sub-culture has norms which are condemned by the conventional
morality of the society, for example, a street-corner gang of unemployed youth indulging in all
sorts of unlawful activities. The gang will be a well-knit group having a private language (known
as argot) and a set of stereotyped behaviours, i.e., they develop a distinctive sub-culture. The
behaviour of the group members and their activities are condemned by others in society.
iii) Primary and Secondary Deviation
Primary deviance refers to the violation of social norms committed by a person who is not
labelled as a deviant, and who is basically a conformist in his or her life. The deviant act is trivial
or tolerated or concealed so that one is not identified as a deviant. For instance, travelling ticket
less once in a while, slipping an extra apple into the shopping bag without paying for it etc.
Secondary deviation is that which follows from one‟s public identification as a deviant. One is
labelled as a deviant. The labelling process is often the point of no return in the development of
deviance. It leads to isolations, possible dismissal, ostracism and sometimes even imprisonment.
The deviant may join the association of other deviants. Even if he or she had the choice to
discontinue his behaviour, he or she cannot help but continue.
Five Types of Deviants
Let us now took at the five types of deviants and thus explain the nature of deviance.
i) Freak
The definition of deviants as „freak‟ focuses not so much on behavioural patterns, as on physical
attributes. Here, deviance merely means variation from the average norms, in a statistical sense.
The „freaks‟ are those who stand at the extreme ends of the normal curve. The inadequacy of this
definition is, that attitudinal and behavioural attributes are not distributed in the population in the
same way as physical attributes.
ii) Sinful
The deviant as „sinful‟ is adjudged as such on the basis of religious ideological codes,
commandments, texts and doctrines. The terminology applied to such deviants include
sinner, heretic, and apostate.
iii) Criminal
The „criminal‟ deviant is defined according to the legal codes, particularly the criminal law.
Laws are ostensibly enacted to prevent acts, injurious to society and group welfare. Those who
violate these laws are labelled as deviants and invite punishment.
iv) Sick
The conception of deviant as „sick‟ is based on a disease model and defined in the pathological
framework. Seen from this view-point, the elements of willfulness and responsibility on the part
of the deviant are removed. When defined as „sick‟ or abnormal, the reaction of the society
towards the deviants changes from punitive to a treatment orientation. There is now a growing
tendency to think of such behaviour which was earlier regarded as vicious, criminal or depraved,
as manifestation or symptom of an illness. The drug addict, heavy drinker, and homosexual, for
example,are now regarded more as „victims‟ of some illness rather than criminals.
v) Alienated
The definition of deviant as „alienated‟ persons, focuses on certain categories of social dropouts
such as hippies. In the modern industrial society, many people feel estranged and isolated from
the values and norms of the society. They are confronted with a sense of powerlessness and
meaninglessness.
