Section 2: What is Deviance?

Question 1

Relative (reactive) Definition of Deviance

Answer 1

Deviance is what a social audience reacts against or labels as deviance.

Question 2

Normative Definition of Deviance

Answer 2

Deviance as a violation of a norm/standard of what people should or should not say, think, or do in certain contextx.

Question 3

Statistical Definition of Deviance

Answer 3

Deviant behavior that differs from the average experience with a focus on rare phenomenon.

Question 4

Absolutist Definition of Deviance

Answer 4

Deviance results from the violation of agreed upon values and standards based on customs and traditions.

Question 5

Deviance

Answer 5

Acts, beliefs, or conditions that violate or depart from norms and likely to generate negative reactions for an audience.

Question 6

Achieved Deviant Status

Answer 6

An earned deviant position or label for something people have done or believe.

Question 7

Ascribed Deviance Status

Answer 7

A deviant position given involuntarily based on a condition acquired from birth.

Question 8

Societal Deviance

Answer 8

Acts, beliefs, or traits that are considered bad or wrong in a society generally.

Question 9

Situational Deviance

Answer 9

Acts, beliefs, or traits that are considered bad or wrong specifically within a particular group, social circle, or context.

Question 10

Social Norms

Answer 10

The expectations of conduct in particular situations that regulate social relations and behaviors.

Question 11

Subculture

Answer 11

A collection of norms, values, and beliefs that are partly distinguishable from dominant culture.