Deviance is Relative

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“Deviance is Relative” is a controversial topic that has caused intrigued sociologists to have debates in order to come to a conclusion. Because there is no absolute standard application towards deviating behavior, we can only gain knowledge through practical implications, main ideas, and concepts & processes.

Practical Implications of “Deviance is Relative”

There is no absolute way of defining deviating acts. Deviance can only be defined in a relation to certain norms, but no standards are permanent. Norms can involve being within stereotypical viewpoints. Counter-stereotypical behavior may be viewed as acts of deviance; Phelan and Rudman defined backlash effects as “social and economic penalties for counter-stereotypical behavior” (2008). Phelan and Rudman concluded “When stereotypes are violated, people take notice.” I have seen people take notice of two men holding hands. Phelan, J. E., and Rudman, L. A. provided a few examples of the effects of deviance. A particular female puffing on a cylindrical roll of tobacco sticks out like a sore thumb in a gathering. The testosterone-infused male crying in a food market can hold the eyes of the shoppers. Our curiosity is poked whenever people stray from social norms, subsequently, becoming the center of attention is not the only result (2010). Proven by researchers, Deviators can go through punishment, social and economic. Punishment refers to positive or negative sanctions that follow deviating behavior such as a reward, being put on trial, death and so forth.

Main Ideas, Concrete Examples, and Issues

Deviance is reflected in social control system, medicalization of deviance, and white collar crime. Social control system can be defined as a group’s formal and informal means ...

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...n cultural background and follow another cultural group with informal names.

“Deviance is Relative” does not have a definite definition. Because deviance is relative, deviance varies from society to society. Mad-dogging may be acceptable in some countries, but it can lead to death in the United States. We can acknowledge deviance by witnessing others disobey national laws.

References

Matsueda-Ross-L. (1982). Testing control theory and differential association: a causal

modeling approach. American Sociological Review, 47(4), 489-504.

Phelan, J. E., & Rudman, L. A. (2010). Reactions to Ethnic Deviance: The Role of

Backlash in Racial Stereotype Maintenance. Journal Of Personality & Social Psychology, 99(2), 265-281. doi:10.1037/a0018304

Rosenfeld, R. (1989). Robert Merton's Contributions to the Sociology of Deviance.

Sociological Inquiry, 59(4), 453-466.

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