5.1 The Social Construction of Deviance

LO 5.1: Explain how deviance is socially constructed.

Deviance encompasses behaviors or beliefs that do not follow social norms. Social groups decide what is judged deviant. As a result, the definition of deviance varies across cultures and over time. Some kinds of deviance are believed to be so serious that governments establish laws to discourage such behavior and punish offenders. The legal system is an institution that determines which objects (such as drugs) and actions (such as stealing) are criminal. It seeks to identify which people have broken the law and how they should be punished. Crime refers to the violation of laws. Therefore, deviance can be socially constructed as crime. However, not all forms of deviance are crimes, and not all crimes are deviant.