Define Deviance

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Defining Deviance

When we speak of deviance, we refer to violations of social norms. Norms are behavioral codes or prescriptions that guide people into actions and self-presentations that conform to social acceptability. Norms do not need to be agreed upon by every member of the group doing the defining, but a clear or vocal majority must agree.

There are three types of norms conceptualized by American sociologist, William Summer: folkways, mores, and laws.

Folkways: simple everyday norms based on custom, tradition, or etiquette.

Violation of this type of norm does not generate serious outrage, but might cause some people to think of the violator as odd.

Folkway norms include: standards of dress, demeanor, physical closeness to or distance from others and eating behavior.

Mores: are norms based on broad societal morals whose infractions would generate more serious social condemnation.

Violation of this type of norm threatens social order, violators may be considered bad, wicked, and harmful to society.

Mores norms include: interracial marriage, illegitimate childbearing, and drug addiction.

Laws: are supported by codified social sanctions and are the strongest norms.

Violation of this type of norm are subject to arrest and punishment ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Law norms include: murder, rape, assault, robbery, and arson.