Deviance and Social Control

Chapter 7Section 1

Nature of Deviance

Deviance: behavior that departs from societal or group norms. Can range from criminal behavior to wearing

heavy makeup. Can be positive or negative

Negative Deviance: Involves behavior that underconforms to accepted norms.

Positive Deviance: Involves behavior that overconforms to social expectations.

A Deviant: A person who breaks significant societal or group norms.

Social Control

All societies have ways to promote order, stability, and predictability in social life.

Social Control: ways to encourage conformity to society’s norms.

Without social controls life would be unpredictable and chaotic.

Two types: Internal and External

Internal and External Social Control

Internal Control Lies within the

individual. You practice this all

the time when you decide what to do.

This is known as internalization of norms.

External Control Society way of ensure

people conform. Based on Social

Sanctions. Social Sanctions:

Reword or punishments that encourage conformity to social norms.

Formal: imprisonment, low grades.

Informal: Ridicule, gossip, smiles.