deviance
DEE-vee-unss
/ˈdiːviəns/
The fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior.
In sociology, deviance is not necessarily 'bad'; it simply means 'different from the norm.' It can include everything from wearing a costume to work to committing a crime.
The story behind the word. The word 'deviance' is all about the road. It comes from the Latin 'de via', meaning 'off the way.' Imagine a well-trodden path through a forest; those who stay on the path are the 'conformists,' while those who step into the thicket are 'deviating' from the established route.
Word relationships
- aberration: An aberration is a temporary or accidental departure from the norm, while deviance is often a sustained state.
- divergence: Divergence is a neutral mathematical or physical term for moving apart.
- normality: Normality is the state of being usual or expected.
- conventionality: Conventionality refers to adhering to traditional social standards.
Commonly confused with
- deviation: Deviation is often used in statistics (standard deviation), while deviance is almost always used in a social or moral context.
Word family
- deviant (noun/adjective): A person whose behavior differs from social norms.
- deviate (verb): To depart from an established course.
Collocations
- social deviance
- positive deviance
- primary deviance
- deviant behavior
Idioms & expressions
- off the beaten path
- break the mold
Example sentences
- "What is considered deviance in one culture, such as public displays of affection, may be perfectly acceptable in another." Discussing the relativity of social rules.
- "Sociologists argue that deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions." A fundamental principle of labeling theory. (Howard Becker, 'Outsiders')
Memory hook
If you 'deviate' from the 'via' (the way), you are showing 'deviance'. Off the path.
When not to use
Avoid using it as a synonym for 'evil' or 'wicked' in a general sense; it is a neutral descriptive term in social science.
Fun facts
- The concept of 'positive deviance' refers to people who break rules in ways that actually help society, like whistleblowers or civil rights activists.
Related words
Explore more words
deviation, aberrant, norm, anomaly, unconventional, Conformity
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