Introduction to Sociology/Deviance

Introduction_to_Sociology/Deviance

Deviance is any behavior that violates cultural norms. There is formal and informal deviance. Formal deviance is against the law and informal deviance is against custom. Informal deviance can be various depending on culture. There is an example. One Korean new recruit work overtime at night in France company. His boss stop from working, and he said our company derive benefit. His boss argue that he spoil the company's atmosphere. In North Korea, The man is good worker. But, In France, he is a nuisance.

In sociology, there is many theory that explain deviance, and I have interesting in Labeling Theory. Labeling Theory need two factor.

1. A deviant label is applied to them
2. They adopt the label by exhibiting the behaviors, actions, and attitudes associated with the label

Labeling can be positive and negative, and Deviance labels are negative things, like liar or offender.

If someone is labeled, two phenomena has occurred. First is re-casting of past behavior. An offender who leave school is re-caste as problem child. On the other way, A succeeded man who leave school like Thomas Edison in re-caste as extraordinary child.

The other phenomena is stigma. If someone is socially labeled once, he prone to be appraised by label regardless of current behavior. For example, once Idol group evoke criticism, they hardly become popular again.