Cultural deviance theory suggests that conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class society causes crime. The mix of cultures and values created a smaller society with different ideas of deviance, and those values and ideas were transferred from generation to generation.

control theory: The theory states that behavior is caused not by outside stimuli, but by what a person wants most at any given time. According to control theory, weak social systems result in deviant behavior.

The idea that two control systems (inner and outer controls) work against our tendencies to deviate. The view that the labels people are given affect their own and others’ perceptions of them, thus channeling their behavior into either deviance or conformity.

Types. The violation of norms can be categorized as two forms, formal deviance and informal deviance. Formal deviance can be described as a crime, which violates laws in a society. Informal deviance are minor violations that break unwritten rules of social life.

Causes of Deviance in Society

• Broken Family and Improper Socialization.
• Lack of Religious Education and Morality.
• Rejection by Neighborhood.
• Lack of Basic Facilities.
• Parentless Child.
• Mass Media.
• Urban Slums.

Tattoos, vegan lifestyles, single parenthood, breast implants, and even jogging were once considered deviant but are now widely accepted. For example, divorce affects the social institution of family, and so divorce carried a deviant and stigmatized status at one time.

Several examples of the behaviors that were considered acceptable in the past that are considered deviant today are slavery, racism, sexism, and spanking children for disobedience. In the 1800’s and before then, slavery was acceptable in our society.

Positive Deviance (PD) refers to a behavioral and social change approach which is premised on the observation that in any context, certain individuals confronting similar challenges, constraints, and resource deprivations to their peers, will nonetheless employ uncommon but successful behaviors or strategies which …

Deviance may be either positive or negative. Negative deviance involves behavior that fails to meet accepted norms. People expressing negative deviance either reject the norms, misinterpret the norms, or are unaware of the norms. Positive deviance involves overconformity to norms.

Conformity and deviance are two responses to real or imagined pressures from others. Conformity means going along one’s peers—individuals of a person’s own status. Deviance is a behaviour that violates the standards of conduct or expectations or social norms of a group or society.

Conformity can take the form of overt social pressure or subtler, unconscious influence. Regardless of its form, it can be a powerful force—able to change how large groups behave, to start or end conflicts, and much more.

The Five Dangers of Emotional Conformity

• The couch couple. Comfort and emotional conformity in love are both major enemies to a couple.
• Avoiding negative emotions. Let’s not kid ourselves: uncomfortable emotions have a reason why they rear their ugly head.
• Lack of critical thinking. Our thoughts can be parcial, distorted, biased, etc.