Deviant behavior - what it is, its types, signs and causes

What is deviant behavior

Under deviant behavior

It is common to understand actions that contradict established social norms.

The persistent manifestation of deviations forces society to apply sanctions to this person - isolation, punishment, correction, treatment.

Simply put, deviation is a violation of any rules. In this regard, psychologists claim that the vast majority of people on the planet are deviants. Indeed, it is difficult to live your whole life without violating a single established rule - this means not only state legislation, but also some informal regulations, such as the need to communicate with friends in your free time. Too much work ethic (“workaholism”) and a passion for dieting are also deviations.

Signs of deviant behavior

There are clear signs that an individual’s actions are deviant behavior, namely

:

• Inconsistency with generally accepted social norms;
• Violation of these norms;
• Negative assessment of others, imposition of sanctions;
• Causing harm to yourself and others;
• Persistence – the antisocial act is repeated many times;
• Social maladjustment;
• The general orientation of the personality is destructive.

The last feature, however, is controversial. After all, the concept of deviant behavior also includes cases such as talent, genius, heroism and self-sacrifice. Such actions and manifestations also violate some established rules, but ultimately their goal is the creation, sometimes even the salvation of society.

Essence, types and forms of deviant behavior

Definition 1
Deviant behavior is the persistent behavior of an individual that deviates from generally accepted and established social norms.

In sociological science, the concept of deviant behavior is very heterogeneous. This is due to the fact that its various manifestations are inherent in different categories of citizens. They have one thing in common - they can cause irreparable harm to the social system and provoke risks. The initial concept in understanding asocial (deviant) behavior is another concept - social norm.

Definition 2

A social norm is the limit of what is permitted in an individual’s behavior and actions. Such a norm ensures the support of the social system in a normal state, and such stability allows citizens to feel safe.

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Deviant behavior happens:

• positive, which is aimed at overcoming outdated norms and standards. Positive deviations contribute to qualitative changes in the social system and have a positive impact on society;
• negative is dysfunctional behavior that brings disorganization to the social system.

Negative deviations are also divided into two categories - deviations that are aimed at causing harm to others and deviations that harm the individual himself. The first group of deviations is expressed in aggressive behavior, criminal and illegal actions that threaten the life and health of people around. The second group is actions against oneself. Drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide are the most common deviations that harm the individual.

Positive deviations are characteristic mainly of creative people. To some they seem eccentric, their behavior may go beyond the normal, but at the same time it is completely safe, although it raises many questions.

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We can say that deviant behavior is a social choice in which the goal of social behavior is incommensurate with the real possibilities of achieving it, while individuals can use some other means to achieve their goals. For example, some people choose socially prohibited means, and sometimes even illegal ones, in pursuit of wealth or power, as a result of which they become criminals or delinquents. Another type of deviation from norms is manifested in open disobedience and rebellion, a demonstrative rejection of the values ​​and standards accepted in society, which is typical for revolutionaries, terrorists, religious extremists and other similar groups of people who actively oppose the society within which they live.

Deviant behavior is assessed as relative. It is measured by cultural norms, and each community has its own. To some, certain types and forms of deviation seem wild and unnatural, while other categories of citizens assess these deviations as completely normal and absolutely safe.

In addition to the types of deviations, forms are also distinguished. These are alcohol and drug addiction, criminal crime, prostitution, gambling addiction, mental disorders and suicidal tendencies. Such forms refer to deviations within which an individual can cause harm to himself. But it can also influence other people who have an unstable psyche and may, following the example of those around them, begin to engage in the same illegal and incorrect actions.

Types of deviant behavior

Psychology, sociology and medicine have their own approaches to defining deviant behavior and classify its types in different ways. Different scientific directions even define actions and actions differently - one school considers some action “normal”, while another considers it deviant.

One of the existing classifications of deviant behavior was proposed by Ts.P. Korolenko and T.A. Donskikh - domestic psychiatrists.

• Non-standard behavior
  - in this case, the individual violates some rules, but in general his activities are positive and useful for society.
• Destructive behavior
  – has a destructive orientation. In this case, externally destructive and internally destructive actions are distinguished. In the first case, a person either uses certain means to escape reality and get the desired emotions (alcoholism, drug addiction, gambling, etc.), or directly violates laws and causes harm to others.

In the second case, a person’s actions are aimed at direct self-destruction - suicide, fanaticism, conformism, narcissism, etc.

Human behavior itself is a reaction to social norms. There can only be a few such reactions, and their description was given at one time by Robert King Merton, one of the greatest sociologists of the twentieth century.

Each society forms both the goals of its existence and the means of achieving them, and each individual responds to this through one of the possible reactions

:

• Submission - complete submission to both goals and means of achieving them;
• Innovation - the individual submits to the goals of society, but uses other means to achieve them;
• Ritualism - the goal is rejected as unattainable, but a “mechanical” adherence to traditions remains;
• Retreatism is withdrawal from society due to disagreement with its goals and means;
• Rebellion is an attempt to bring a new order to society, to change both goals and means.

Three of these types of behavior are outright deviant. But ritual behavior in most cases is not perceived as deviant: society, as a rule, pays attention only to the external side of the behavior of individual people. It is believed that almost all members of society practice ritual behavior without thinking about the purposes of existence or even outright denying them.

Deviant behavior. Basic concepts of deviant behavior.

Deviant behavior is behavior that deviates from generally accepted, socially approved, most widespread and established norms in certain communities at a certain period of their development. We can distinguish deviation of a destructive nature - human actions that are radically different from generally accepted sociocultural expectations and norms in society. And we can distinguish creative deviation, which deviates from generally accepted behavior in a positive direction and is of a socially significant nature.

Science has developed concepts that address the problem of deviation. These include:

1) conflict theory; 2) stigmatization; 3) cultural transfer; 4) anomie.

The founder of the theory of anomie was Emile Durkheim, who argued that deviant behavior is necessary for the normal functioning of society, since punishment of the deviant creates boundaries, the violation of which is recognized as unacceptable, and encourages people to express their attitude to the need for order in society. E. Durkheim formulated the concept of “anomie,” which means a state of society in which the value system is decomposing due to the crisis of the entire society, its social institutions, the contradiction between the declared goals and the impossibility of their implementation for the majority. At such times, there is an increase in the number of situations in which deviant behavior is expressed.

Cultural transfer theory. Gabriel Tarde, who at the end of the 19th century formulated the theory of imitation to explain deviant behavior. Tarde argued that criminals, like “decent” people, imitate the behavior of those individuals whom they met in life, whom they knew or heard about. But unlike law-abiding citizens, they imitate the behavior of criminals.

Edwin G Sutherland developed the theory of differential association. According to Sutherland, individuals become delinquents because they find themselves in environments that follow deviant patterns, motivations, and methods. Deviant behavior is acquired on the basis of not only imitation, but also learning.

Conflict theory. its origins lie in the Marxist tradition. According to Marxist theory, the capitalist ruling class exploits and robs the masses of the people and yet manages to avoid retribution for their crimes. Working people - victims of capitalist oppression - in their struggle for survival are forced to commit acts that the ruling class labels as criminal. The modern Marxist approach to the problem of deviation was formulated by the American sociologist Richard Quinney. According to Quinney, the US legal system reflects the interests and ideology of the ruling capitalist class. The law declares illegal certain acts that offend the morals of those in power and pose a threat to their privileges and property. Much is true in conflict theory. It is quite obvious that laws are made and enforced by individuals and social groups vested with power. As a result, laws are not neutral, but serve the interests of a particular social group and express its basic values.

Stigma theory. Adherents: Edwin Lemert, Howard Becker and Kai Erickson.

According to stigma theory, deviance is determined not by the behavior itself, but by society's reaction to such behavior. When people's behavior is seen as deviating from accepted norms, it gives rise to a range of social reactions. Others define, evaluate, and label behavior. The norm violator begins to coordinate his future actions with such labels. In many cases, the individual develops a self-image that coincides with this label, as a result of which he is able to embark on the path of deviation.

Causes of deviation . Some scientists: poor genetic inheritance, others - the presence of “mental defects”, “psychopathy”. However, a significant part of criminologists and sociologists see the origins of deviant behavior in social causes. This is the absence of clear norms in society, the presence of conflicts between the norms of individual institutional entities and the norms of the state.

The most common forms of deviant behavior:

1) crime;

2) alcoholism;

3) drug addiction;

4) suicide.

Reasons for deviant behavior

“Wrong” behavior of people can be dictated by one or more possible factors:

Biological factors

Some people are naturally predisposed to act differently from what others tell them to do. Such people can sometimes be identified by their appearance.

Psychological factors

Deviant behavior in this case is explained by the influence of external factors and stimuli on a person, as well as his psychological make-up, which is innate in nature.

Sociological factors

In this case, “wrong” behavior is explained by the inconsistency of social norms and rules, their variability, decay and rejection, which creates a kind of spiritual vacuum in society.

We can say that the main reason for deviant behavior is the discrepancy between the desires and intentions of an individual and the demands and attitudes of the majority. The tendency to “wrong actions” is inherent in the very nature of man, who is not only a social organism, but also a personality. Human society has many similarities with communities of so-called social animals (ants, lions, elephants, etc.), but there is also a significant difference: people in society are not an exact copy of each other and do not entirely rely in their lives on some common “superintelligence” . If in animals society contributes to the preservation and continuation of the race, then in humans it plays a dual role; society can not only protect its members, but also suppress and destroy the most valuable of them.

Naturally, disagreements arise here between the social “supermind” and the understanding of the individual. And this is not always an egoistic understanding: many people have a heightened sense of pity and justice, they want and can make the world a better place. But most people don’t want “better”; they only want stability.

It also happens that a person does not seem to be a bearer of some useful qualities for the entire society, but his desires cannot be called destructive either. For example, he just wants to dance his favorite dances and listen to his favorite music, despite the fact that in this society these dances and music are considered unacceptable. This was the case, for example, in the USSR, when they persecuted “rockers,” “hipsters,” and similar representatives of the so-called hedonistic subcultures. Subcultures that develop pleasure and positive emotions from life are called hedonistic. However, at various times, participants in such subcultures were labeled with derogatory labels and declared to be destroyers. Even a smile at a disco was officially considered a sign of deviant behavior in the USSR - for it you could be taken to the police or expelled from the Komsomol.

Is drug addiction a deviant behavior?

In fact, this is only the use of hard drugs. Moderate use of soft drugs does not harm others and brings much less time to the user himself than banal smoking of cigarettes. Meanwhile, the use of soft drugs in our society is branded as destructive behavior, while smoking cigarettes is considered quite normal, and alcoholism (the most destructive phenomenon in society) is even strongly encouraged in some circles. Moreover, a sober lifestyle is considered deviant behavior, albeit unofficially: “Why don’t you drink, aren’t you Russian, or what?!”

The conventionality of the concept of “deviant behavior” was clearly demonstrated by the authors of dystopias. Thus, in Bradbury's novel Fahrenheit 451, reading is a deviant behavior. In other dystopias, this could be any personal relationship, touching, hugging, rational behavior, even avoiding entertainment (“Brave New World” by Huxley). Thus, what is considered normal and even encouraged in our world was declared criminal and immoral in dystopias.

However, such transformations take place not only in dystopias. For example, in Russia before the revolution, avoiding going to church and not believing in God were considered deviant behavior; in the Soviet era, on the contrary, church attendance and religiosity were considered such; in our time, the ruling circles are propagating the old, pre-revolutionary view - so far unofficially, but this may well take on an official form.

It was said above about the biological factors of deviant behavior. They can indeed have some influence on a person, but they cannot be exaggerated. There are overly angry and aggressive people who also have a reduced level of intelligence and are difficult to influence from others - unteachable, unable to curb their physiological drives. Italian psychiatrist Cesare Lombroso found that approximately a third of the prison inmates he examined, in addition to this set of psychological characteristics, exhibited external signs of “criminality”: irregular jaw, long arms, sparse beard, etc. However, Lombroso’s theory was subsequently refuted. Indeed, not every “ape-like” person turns out to be a carrier of criminal behavior, and not every principled (or “born”) criminal has the indicated appearance.

Various researchers have repeatedly attempted to explain deviant behavior by the biological characteristics of the organism. According to one of these theories, figure plays a significant role in this: overweight people are sociable and friendly, people with a fragile body are prone to caution, nervousness and introspection, and those who have a slender body and developed physical strength are distinguished by an assertive character and are insensitive to pain and are more likely to be criminals.

However, most scientists still reject biological theories of deviance. The only thing they agree with is the influence of the type of nervous system on deviance, but this influence is still not decisive.

Social-psychological theories of deviant behavior have greater weight. The author of one of them is Becker. In his opinion, the upper and influential strata of society tend to attach certain labels to representatives of the lower strata, and these labels play the role of self-fulfilling prophecies. For example, such population groups as gypsies, homeless people, as well as alcoholics and drug addicts are traditionally considered deviant. Representatives of these categories of the population are subjected to humiliation, insults, and their rights are violated, despite the fact that among these people there are initially many “normal” people who do not break laws and do not offend others. Labels and humiliation, however, force these people to resist, and these are not always legal means. The gypsies, who have been declared criminals without exception, eventually actually become criminals, because legal means of satisfying the needs of life are closed to them.

However, with psychological factors, not everything is so clear. For example, classical behaviorism claims that all human actions are reactions to certain environmental influences; and if a child is severely punished for misdeeds from the very beginning, in the future he will develop a fear of committing such actions. It's like training animals. In reality, not every person reacts in this way to such training. It often happens this way: as soon as the punishments stop, a person feels that his hands are untied, and he indulges in all sorts of serious things. Only the constant threat of being punished can keep such a person within the limits of what is permitted.

Deviant behavior and reactions to it are clearly described in the famous “bucket of crabs” model. As soon as one crab tries to get out of the bucket, the others immediately pull it back in. The whole fault of this one crab is that he behaves differently from the others and makes different choices in his life; but others perceive such behavior as the destruction of the entire society.

Main types of deviation

Variants of deviant behavior are divided into two main groups:

• violations of social, legal standards, norms of public morality, cultural deviation;
• mental disorders, obvious or hidden.

These groups include the following types of deviation.

1. Antisocial . Ignoring established social foundations.
2. Delinquent . Deviation leading to criminal offenses.
3. Self-destructive . Intentional harm to physical or mental health, up to and including suicide.
4. Psychopathological . Manifestation of any mental disorders or diseases.
5. Dissocial . Deviation from all standards of a healthy psyche.
6. Paracharacterological . Negative changes in character resulting from improper upbringing.

In sociology, any deviation from generally accepted standards is considered separately and can be both positive and negative.

• Legal deviation is all actions that violate the law.
• Pedagogical , can also be called maladjustment. It includes all the difficulties of establishing normal relationships among children.
• Medical . Behavioral disorders caused by various diseases or drug use.

Social deviation

Basically, deviant behavior in society is determined by motivation. That is, the norms of public morality must be violated consciously. Social deviation is the only one that can be both positive and negative.

What are the deviations with a plus sign:

• heroism;
• opening a new path for the development of society;
• making geographical or other discoveries.

From this point of view, deviants are:

1. Great travelers (H. Columbus, N. Miklouho-Maclay, R. Amundsen and others)
2. Scientists (Giordano Bruno, Marie Curie, S. Korolev, A. Einstein and others)
3. Spiritual leaders. No matter how seditious it may sound, in relation to the original religion of society, the development of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc. was a deviation.
4. Artists who discovered new genres and acceptable means of artistic expression. For example, Edgar Allan Poe, considered the creator of the modern form of detective fiction, thriller and, in many ways, science fiction.
5. Heroes. Alexander Matrosov, Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya, Maria Barsukova, Sergey Bagaev, and many others.
6. Fighters for equality.

Deviations with a minus sign:

• amoral behavior;
• various addictions;
• child homelessness, running away from home;
• prostitution;
• sadism.

The list of social deviations can be continued endlessly, since they largely depend on the structure of the society in question. For example, bigamy is condemned in Christian society and is the norm in Islam. In general, deviations in society differ from others in that they can change and adapt to the needs of the bulk of the population.

Sexual deviation

The second name for sexual interests that differ from the generally accepted norm is paraphilia. Many have tried to describe the causes of sexual deviations and give a clear definition of where the norm ends and where deviation in sex begins. In DSM-5, Ray Blanchard provided the following definition:

“Paraphilia is all types of (atypical) intense and persistent sexual interest, with the exception of sexual interest in genital stimulation and preparatory caresses with a phenotypically normal, consenting and sexually mature human subject.”

Blanchard's list of "normophilias" (a term meaning "normal" sexual interest and used as a counterweight to paraphilias) looks like this:

• oral sex;
• anal/vaginal penetration;
• mutual masturbation;
• kisses.

Examples of paraphilias:

• sexual interest in urine, coprophilia;
• preference for persons with severe physical disabilities;
• sexual interest in elements of BDSM.

Almost immediately this definition was subjected to severe criticism. Mainly for the ambiguity of some of its components. Thus, Charles Moser considered it incorrect to state a definition in terms of what it is not. In addition, he pointed out that the concept of a “phenotypically normal subject” is too vague (for example, it is not clear whether a woman who has undergone plastic surgery is such an object).

The sexologist also considered the manifestation of sexism in the document to be incorrect. So, according to the DSM-5 definition, a woman’s desire to submit to a man in bed is the norm, and the opposite is a deviation. The same is true for the desire to wear beautiful underwear. In general, Charles Moser is of the view that the specific boundary between normophilia and paraphilia is determined only by cultural and religious norms and does not exist from a medical point of view.

However, paraphilia should be distinguished from paraphilic disorder. If the first is only an interest in non-standard types and methods of intimate relationships, then the second is a disease, and it is characterized by the presence of addiction. In practice, it looks like this: if a BDSM lover can do without it, then this is a paraphilia. If satisfaction is possible only within the framework of a BDSM session, this is a paraphilic disorder.

Gender deviations

This type of deviation from generally accepted standards causes the most controversial reaction in society. From the moment of birth, a child is instilled with certain traits and a worldview, designed to ultimately consolidate his gender role model of behavior and appearance. This is how girls are instilled with a love of dresses, jewelry and makeup from early childhood. For boys - formal, sports or paramilitary clothing.

These differences in appearance are further reinforced by differences in behavior and priorities. If a woman commits actions that clearly relate to the male gender role model or vice versa, this is a gender deviation. Its extreme form is when a person becomes a transvestite or undergoes a surgical gender change. Many are inclined to believe that these are modern deviations characteristic only of our time.

Communication deviations

Communication disorders, that is, communication disorders, are:

1. Autism . Primary - congenital - manifests itself in early childhood and continues throughout life. Secondary - acquired - can appear after being in a stressful situation or as a result of the characteristics of upbringing. These types of deviation are characterized by a conscious desire for loneliness, the inability to maintain friendships and establish contact with strangers.
2. Hypersociality . Autism antagonist. A person suffering from hypersociability strives to communicate with as many interlocutors as possible in the shortest possible time, and pathologically cannot tolerate loneliness.
3. Phobias (fears) . It is believed that every person has at least one phobia. Some of them seriously complicate communication. For example, ereitophobia (fear of blushing in public) or scopophobia (fear of being funny).

Deviation - sectarianism

One of the well-known problems of modern society is sects. Various mental deviations force people to go there. For example autism, antisocial behavior, etc. Sects differ from religions in the following ways.

1. Worship before a spiritual leader (person).
2. Rigid hierarchical structure. Even if its existence is unknown to ordinary members of the community
3. The desire to completely control the lives of sect members.

Food deviations

There are two most well-known types of eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia. It is believed that these are modern behavioral deviations, but the first case of anorexia was recorded back in the 17th century.

1. Anorexia . The desire to prevent weight gain by any means, including complete abstinence from food.
2. Bulimia . It is similar to anorexia, but also includes uncontrollable bouts of overeating.

Deviation - alcoholism

Pathological dependence on alcohol, ultimately leading to self-destruction. Alcoholics typically deny the existence of a problem and are confident that they can cope with it at any time. Other personal deviations or physiological characteristics of a person lead to the formation of alcohol dependence.