Social Deviance And Social Norms

Social deviance is referring to forms of behavior and qualities of an individual that is out of line when compared to the social norm. It would be rather hard to give a list of behaviors and qualities that will label an individual as a deviant if one tries to list examples for a globalized standard. This is because social deviance is based off social or cultural norms. Norms of a society differ depending on where you are in the world and the time period that you live in. This is because norms are what is considered normal acts and behaviors of people in that society. The norms of one society vary greatly from another. This means that social deviance has a very broad list of definitions that make one individual a deviate, that is susceptible

Homo sapiens tend to strive for both predictability and stability, in other words, we are creatures of habit. Where am I going to sleep at night? What will I eat? How will I provide for my family? All the answers to these questions boil down to obtaining currency in some form or another. Printed and distributed by a government or ruling power. Telling them that this sheet of paper holds value. Even though the paper sheets are no longer gold or silver stamped and certified for a trade of a metal of value in the U.S. Now they’re really just a reward for serving society as “another brick in the wall” (Pink Floyd 1989). Without Social control creating this large amount of predictability society, as we know it would

While justice is used as a form of social control for the deviant individuals in our society it is just one system of the many used to obtain the same exact goal. To briefly list a few examples without going into much detail are school systems from pre-school through college, military, family, clubs and organizations (boy scouts, sports teams ext..). This creates social norms that are introduced and connected to everyone. Intern induces a vast majority of the population to conform to social rules because of the excepted norms being ingrained into their heads from a very young age. However, Emile Durkheim pointed out that deviance is important for the structure of society (Durkheim 1893,1964). Theses individuals provide examples for others about the penalties of their actions or behaviors. By placing them through the justice system, it deters others.
My opinion is that it is one of the greatest accomplishments of this form of social control because it provides a service to the masses. It reduces the crime rate providing a safer less chaotic society. As you mentioned in one of your classes often times people speed around town going over the speed limit. Only to one day get a ticket for speeding. Even the roads systems are one form of control used keep us safe. What would driving be like if there were no speed limits, red lights, lines,