Discover what deviant behavior means in sociology, its types, causes, and real-world examples
Introduction
Stop me if this sounds familiar: you’re sitting in a sociology class, the word deviance comes up, and immediately your mind jumps to crime, prisons, or something “bad”. But then the lecturer says not all deviance is criminal, and suddenly it feels like the ground has shifted.
You’re not alone in that confusion. Many students and even people outside of sociology assume deviant behaviour only means breaking the law. In reality, deviance is much broader. It’s about how society reacts when people step outside accepted norms, whether that’s wearing unusual clothes, skipping school, or taking part in a protest.
I’ve studied sociology in depth and worked with students who felt the exact same way overwhelmed by all the theories and definitions. The good news? Once you break it down, deviance becomes one of the most fascinating parts of sociology, because it tells you as much about society as it does about the individual.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what deviant behaviour means, how it’s different from crime, why different cultures define it in different ways, and which sociological theories explain it. By the end, you’ll see deviance not as a confusing concept, but as a powerful lens for understanding how society works.
What is Deviant Behaviour?
At its core, deviant behaviour means going against the accepted rules or expectations of society. These rules are called social norms the unwritten standards that guide how people should act.
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- Norms = the rules of the game” in society.
- Deviance = “breaking the rules” (but not always in a bad way).
For example:
- If a student cheats on an exam, that’s deviant.
- If someone wears pyjamas to a wedding, that’s also deviant even though it isn’t a crime.
- If a group of people peacefully protests government policy, that’s deviant too, because it challenges the usual order.
The key point- deviance isn’t the same as crime.
- All crimes are deviant (because they break laws and social rules).
- But not all deviant acts are crimes (like dressing differently or skipping traditions).
Sociologists are interested in deviant behaviour because it helps us see which rules societies value most, how people react when rules are broken, and how those rules can change over time.
Why Societies Define Deviance Differently
What counts as “deviant” isn’t the same everywhere. In fact, one of the most important lessons in sociology is that deviance is relative. It depends on where you are, when you are, and who you are with.
1. Culture Shapes Norms
Every society has its own set of rules. For example:
- Eating with your hands is normal in parts of India but might be seen as odd or “messy” in Western countries.
- Public displays of affection are common in some places, but in others they’re considered highly inappropriate.
What looks like deviance in one culture might be totally acceptable in another.
2. Time Matters
Norms change over time, so behaviour once labelled deviant may later be seen as normal or even celebrated.
- In the past, women wearing trousers in public was considered deviant. Today it’s completely ordinary.
- Tattoos were once linked to rebellion or crime, but now they’re mainstream fashion.
3. Social Context Counts
Deviance also depends on who is involved and where it happens.
- A child shouting loudly in a classroom would be labelled disruptive. The same behaviour at a football match? Completely acceptable.
- A protest may be seen as deviant by authorities, but as courageous by supporters.
Theories of Deviance
Sociologists don’t just describe deviant behaviour – they also try to explain why it happens. Over time, several major theories have developed, each offering a different perspective.
1. Functionalist Perspective (Émile Durkheim)
Durkheim argued that deviance isn’t always harmful – it actually plays an important role in society.
- It helps clarify social norms: when someone breaks a rule, society reacts, reminding everyone where the boundaries are.
- It can bring people together: outrage over deviance often unites communities.
- It may even lead to change: what starts as deviant behaviour (like civil rights protests) can eventually reshape laws and norms.
Key idea: Deviance is necessary because it challenges society to adapt.
2. Strain Theory (Robert K. Merton)
Merton focused on the gap between cultural goals (like wealth, success) and the means available to achieve them. When people can’t reach these goals fairly, some turn to deviance.
- Example: A student pressured to succeed might cheat on exams.
- Example: Someone who can’t find legitimate work might turn to theft.
Key idea: Deviance happens when society sets goals but not everyone has equal access to achieve them.
3. Conflict Theory (Karl Marx-inspired)
Conflict theorists see deviance as a result of inequality. Those in power decide what counts as “normal” and what counts as “deviant.”
- Example: White-collar crimes (like tax evasion by the rich) often get lighter punishment compared to petty theft.
- Example: Laws may target behaviours of less powerful groups while ignoring the same behaviour in elites.
Key idea: Deviance is linked to power struggles in society.
4. Symbolic Interactionism (Labelling Theory Howard Becker)
This perspective looks at deviance on a smaller, everyday scale. Becker argued that no act is inherently deviant it only becomes deviant when society labels it that way.
- Example: A teenager with tattoos might be labelled “troublemaker” even if they haven’t broken any laws.
- Once labelled, people may start to see themselves that way and continue in deviant behaviour.
Key idea: Deviance is created through social reactions and labels, not just actions themselves.
Examples of Deviant Behaviour
To really understand deviance, it helps to see how it plays out in everyday life as well as in more serious situations. Remember: not all deviant acts are crimes, and not all are “bad.”
1. Everyday Deviance
These are small acts that break social norms but aren’t criminal.
- Dressing in a way that shocks others
- Skipping a traditional greeting or ignoring social etiquette.
- Talking loudly on a quiet bus.
They may not harm anyone, but they stand out because they go against what’s expected.
2. Positive Deviance
Sometimes deviance can be good because it challenges unfair or outdated rules.
- Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat during racial segregation.
- Campaigners protesting for women’s right to vote.
- Environmental activists raising awareness through disruptive protests.
What started as “rule-breaking” in these cases eventually led to social progress.
3. Criminal Deviance
This is deviance that also breaks the law.
- Theft, fraud, assault.
- White-collar crime (like tax evasion or insider trading).
- Cybercrime (hacking, online scams).
These acts are punished because they harm individuals or society as a whole.
4. Context-Dependent Deviance
Some behaviours are only deviant in certain places or times.
- Drinking alcohol is normal in many countries, but illegal in others.
- Tattoos once marked someone as a rebel, but today they’re widely accepted.
- Long hair on men was once considered deviant in Western cultures but is now common.
Why Studying Deviance Matters
When we think of deviance, crime or “bad behaviour” might come to mind. But in sociology, deviance is much more than that it’s a window into what society values, fears, and accepts. Studying it helps us understand how norms and rules shape our lives.
Conclusion
Deviance is more than breaking rulesit’s a lens through which we can understand society. It reveals the boundaries of acceptable behaviour, highlights social change, and challenges us to rethink assumptions. By studying deviance, we not only gain insight into human behaviour but also learn how to build more empathetic, fair, and adaptable communities.
In short, exploring deviance helps us understand the push and pull between individuals and society, showing that what is “deviant” today could shape the norms of tomorrow.
Dr. Darshana Ashoka Kumara,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Sciences,
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University,
Sri Lanka.