The term deviance can be defined as: When authorities are notified about criminal acts. A violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms, whether folkways, mores, or codified law. The social reward for the violation of norms. The regulation and enforcement of norms.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
A violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms, whether folkways, mores, or codified law.
Explanation:
Deviance refers to behaviors, actions, or conditions that go against the accepted norms, values, or expectations of a society or culture. These norms can range from informal practices (folkways) to deeply held moral beliefs (mores) and formalized laws. While deviance is often associated with criminal behavior, it extends beyond legal violations to include any action that challenges societal norms.
Understanding Deviance:
- Contextual Nature of Deviance:
What is considered deviant varies across different societies, cultures, and situations. For instance, speaking loudly in a library is considered deviant in most cultures because it disrupts the expected norm of quietness. However, the same behavior at a sports event would not be deviant. - Types of Norms Violated:
- Folkways: These are informal norms, such as etiquette or manners, that guide everyday behavior. For example, wearing pajamas to a formal event would violate a folkway.
- Mores: These are moral norms tied to a society’s core values. Violating mores, such as cheating on a spouse, can lead to serious social repercussions.
- Codified Laws: These are formalized norms enforced by legal institutions. Crimes like theft or murder are deviant because they violate these laws.
- Social Construction:
Deviance is not an inherent quality of an act; it depends on societal interpretation. For example, tattoos were once widely considered deviant in many cultures but are now normalized in many places. - Consequences of Deviance:
Responses to deviance, such as stigmatization or legal punishment, help enforce societal norms and maintain order. Deviance can also promote social change by challenging outdated norms and encouraging progress.
In sum, deviance is a complex concept that reflects the dynamic and contextual nature of societal expectations.