Understanding Deviance in Society

What is Deviance?

Deviance means behaving in ways that go against what society considers normal.

These norms can be formal, like laws, or informal, like social expectations.

Here are some examples of deviant behavior:

• Stealing
• Using drugs
• Dressing or believing differently from the crowd

In the UK, in 2020, about 3.9 million crimes were reported. But being deviant isn’t just about breaking the law—it’s about acting differently from what most people expect.

Deviance vs. Crime

1. How They Are Different:

   • Deviance: Not every act that is considered deviant is against the law. Some just go against social norms.
   • Crime: A crime always breaks the laws made by society.

2. How People React:

   • Deviance: People can react to deviance with social penalties, like being excluded or ashamed, without any legal trouble.
   • Crime: Crime leads to official punishments, like fines or jail time.

Facts About Deviance:

• A survey in 2018 found that about 40% of adults in the UK admitted to doing things that are seen as deviant but not criminal, like using drugs for fun.
• The British Crime Survey said that 62% of people think minor acts of deviance, like vandalism, are not really serious crimes.

How Society Keeps Order:

Society tries to stay organized using different methods:

• Formal controls: These include laws and police.
• Informal controls: These come from family, friends, and society’s expectations.

Learning the difference between deviance and crime is important for studying how society works. It shows how people respond differently to various behaviors.