Exploring Deviant Behavior: Theories and Observations

“Deviant behavior is behavior that violates the normative rules, understandings, or expectations of social systems” (“Deviant Behavior,” 1968). Sociologists that study crime and deviant behavior look at a variety of different things. First, they look at cultural norms and in what ways these cultural norms change. Second, they look at how these cultural norms are enforced. They also look at what would happen to individuals when they break these cultural norms (Crossman, 2015b). Through these observations, sociologists have come up with numerous theories as to what causes deviant behavior. One theory that has been connected to the cause of deviant behavior is known as the differential association theory. The differential association theory is consider the number one theory in criminal behavior (Jeffery, 1965, p. 294). This theory was developed by Edwin Sutherland when he was trying to explain criminal behaviors.

Although this theory is not the most used theory in the explanation of deviant behavior, it is considered the approach that is mostly important. The labeling theory was established from work that was done by W.I. Thomas in 1928 (Crossman, 2015a). According to Cliffsnotes.com (2015), “this theory holds that behaviors are deviant only when society labels them as deviant”. According to this theory, deviance is labeled by those who impose proper behavior and boundaries. These individuals can include court officials, experts, police officers, and school authorities. Because these individuals essentially create deviant behavior categories and apply labels to others, they “are reinforcing the power structure of society” (Crossman, 2015a). Once an individual has been labeled defiant, it is hard for that label to be removed. With this label in place, an individual sees themselves as defiant and therefore will be more likely to exhibit deviant behavior (Crossman,