What´s Deviance?

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Recommended: 3 theories of deviance and their application

Deviance is the absence of accepting and obeying the policies set forth by a society, in which case, action is usually taken, often resulting in a consequence. Consequences are often acted in a lawful manner, if acted out at all. Having noted the description of deviance, the definitions of secondary and primary deviance can now be examined, later the importance of secondary deviance in comparison to primary deviance will be discussed.

Primary deviance is vaguely described as the first encounter of a deviant performing deviant behaviors. Primary deviance being the initial deviant actions carried out by someone, this deviant person considers their actions to be legitimate and authorized. Sykes and Matza proposed the theory of techniques of neutralization, which are “justifications of deviant behavior” (1957). Within the process of one committing an act of primary deviance, one drifts from social conformity to outlandish disobedient conduct. While doing so, the deviant risks the possibility of receiving minor penalties in a social manner. It is at this time that the deviant would begin to exploit the techniques of neutralization to justify the actions s/he has committed, interrupting any degradation that could be attributed to his/her self-image. For example, in the case of Trayvon Martin vs. George Zimmerman, Zimmerman aged 28 shot Martin age 17 (Botello and Yan 2013). Martin was unarmed and Zimmerman told police that he had to defend himself. Stating that he had to ‘defend’ himself, was the use of neutralization, to protect his self-image. In Zimmermans mind, his actions were authorized and legitimate. With hopes of preventing social penalties he provided this explanation for carrying out the actions he committed.

Secondary dev...

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..., Retrieved from the World Wide Web: 6 Apr 2014 http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/13/justice/zimmerman-trial/

4. Braithwaite, John. (1989) "Social conditions conducive to reintegrative shaming", Crime, Shame and Reintegration. 1st ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 84-97.

5. Jamjoom, Mohammed. (2013) "Women Who Defy Saudi Driving Ban Fear Repercussions." CNN. Cable News Network. (Online Newspaper), Retrieved from the World Wide Web: 5 Apr 2014 http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/28/world/meast/saudi-women-drivers/index.html?iref=allsearch

6. Lemert , Edwin, (1951) “Sociopathic Individuation- chapter 4” From Lemert, Edwin, Social Pathology pp. 73-98, New York, McGraw Hill

7. Lemert, Edwin. 1967. Human Deviance, Social Problems and Social Control. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall

8. Marshall, Gordon, 1998. A Dictionary of Sociology. Oxford University Press.

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