introduction to sociology

While most people do conform to the expected norms of their society, occasionally they may violate a norm, and depending on its importance and on the severity of the violation, the violator may or may not be seen as deviant. Deviance is defined as the violation of social norms, which then evokes negative reactions from others; important to consider the social control mechanisms that keep most people from becoming deviant. If the government imposes severe formal penalties then the deviant behavior becomes a crime. ? Deviance is socially constructed meaning that members of groups in societies define what is deviant (tattoos and piercings). Some acts are deviant at one time and place and not at others (stem cell research)

- While most people do conform to the expected norms of their society, occasionally they may violate a norm, and depending on its importance and on the severity of the violation, the violator may or may not be seen as deviant. - Deviance is defined as the violation of social norms, which then evokes negative reactions from others; important to consider the social control mechanisms that keep most people from becoming deviant. - If the government imposes severe formal penalties then the deviant behavior becomes a crime. - Deviance is socially constructed meaning that members of groups in societies define what is deviant (tattoos and piercings). - Some acts are deviant at one time and place and not at others (stem cell research)