Understanding Deviance: Societal Norms and Sanctions

Society needs norms. Norms are unwritten rules that make life predictable. We have been trained to know these rules and what society recognizes as acceptable and unacceptable behaviors (Remle, Functionalism, 2016). When we act in an unexpected way, one of these norms is violated, society reacts, and sanctions are imposed. These sanctions can be positive or negative, formal or informal (Remle, Labeling Deviance, 2016).
Sociologists use the term deviance to refer to the violation of these rules or norms. From a sociological perspective, deviance is relative. Definitions of what is deviant vary from group to group and society to society. Howard S. Becker described the interpretation of deviance as not the act itself, but the reactions to the

Especially when they have to wait in line. Knowing how impatient people can be, I chose to conduct a “breaching experiment” by visiting a store and using all pennies to make a purchase. On a Wednesday afternoon, I went to Wal-Mart and selected 2 pieces of candy that cost 98 cents each. In my pocket, I had a little over 2 dollars worth of pennies to make my purchase. I arrived at the register at the same time as an older lady. She looked down and saw that I had just a few items and offered to let me go in front of her. I accepted. Then, another lady, in front of me, who had almost all of her items laid out on the counter, offered to let me pass in front of her too. Knowing what I was about to do, I did not want to make her wait so I thanked her but declined. Finally, it was my turn to check out. Once the cashier told me my total, I pulled out my pennies and started to count. It felt like it was taking me forever. I was nervous and I felt bad for the cashier and the people behind me, especially the lady who let me in front of her. Then, the lady behind me left and moved to another line. I lost count and had to recount. I could see that the cashier was getting annoyed. She asked the cashier beside of her if she had to count the pennies after me. Then she said, “I ain’t counting that s---”. Now, a man was in line behind me. I was still counting. He offered to pay. I felt so bad that I decided to buy just one piece of candy. So

The labeling theory is an interactionist theory which decides norms of behavior about what is socially acceptable based on interactions with others (Remle, Symbolic Interactionism, 2016). Since I planned this experience and intentionally set out to violate a social norm I was very aware of my self and the generalized other. I had an idea of how others would view me and what their expectations would be (Remle, Mead - The Self, 2016). Whereas, someone who unintentionally violated a social norm may not be aware that they had done so and may be unaware that the reactions others have are directed at them (Mead, p.