What This Document Is
This document provides an overview of the sociological concept of deviance. It explores how societies define what is considered deviant behavior, moving beyond simple legal definitions to encompass a broader range of actions, conditions, and beliefs. It’s a foundational exploration for understanding social control, norms, and the construction of social reality.
Why This Document Matters
This material is crucial for students in introductory sociology courses—like SYG 1000 at Florida State University—seeking to grasp core sociological perspectives. It’s used when first approaching the study of social order and disorder, and is valuable for anyone interested in understanding why certain behaviors are stigmatized while others are accepted. Understanding deviance is key to analyzing social issues and power dynamics.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document serves as a starting point for understanding deviance. It presents different *approaches* to defining deviance but doesn’t offer a definitive answer. It doesn’t delve into specific sociological theories in detail (like strain theory or labeling theory), nor does it provide case studies of particular deviant behaviors. It’s a conceptual framework, not a comprehensive analysis.
What This Document Provides
This document includes:
* An exploration of how deviance is socially defined, questioning the assumption of objective deviance.
* A discussion of sanctions and their role in reinforcing societal norms.
* Five distinct approaches to defining deviance: Statistical, Legalistic, Social Norms, Relativist, and Absolutist.
* Explanations of folkways, mores, and laws as components of the Social Norms Approach.
* Considerations of how even conforming behaviors can be considered deviant depending on context.
This preview *does not* include in-depth analysis of specific theories of deviance, detailed case studies, or explorations of stigma management strategies. It focuses on the fundamental *definitions* and *approaches* to understanding deviance.
