ANTHROPOLOGY In Module 4, we are exploring belief systems, values, and the art forms particular to cultures and how these inform cultural anthropology’s investigation of cultures. Learning about relig
Running head: DEVIANCE 0
Positive and Negative Deviance
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Date
Institution
Positive and Negative Deviance
In sociology, deviance involves how people in society go against or violate accepted social standards and norms. However, even though most scholars agree on this definition, it is challenging to explain deviance due to different scholars' varying definitions. There are two types of deviance, including positive and negative deviance. Positive deviance entails the over conformity of established norms in society. On the contrary, negative deviance is described as individual behavior and actions that do not meet society's accepted standards (Appelbaum et al., 2007). One significant example of negative deviance in my community is not following the state government's set measures to protect people from illness. People break the established guidelines due to arrogance and unwillingness. Additionally, there is positive deviance in our community in the form of marijuana use. People using marijuana for recreation is a normal thing in our community that does not warrant law checking.
Positive and negative deviance affects the community in different ways. For example, people that fail to follow established precautionary measures are regarded as abnormal and dangerous to the people who follow the set guidelines. Secondly, deviance also affects the community because people who practice either positive negative deviance are considered different from each other. In other words, deviance presents people as different based on their conformity to the set social norms. The sociological theory that best explains the positive and negative forms of deviance entails the control theory. The control theory presents that people adhere to social standards depending on robust connections involving society and individuals (Heckert & Heckert, 2002). Consequently, the ideology indicates that social ties influence people's actions in the community, preventing deviant behavior. According to the control theory, individuals conform to social set standards because they do not wish to appear abnormal, and they have a fear of losing face in society
References
Appelbaum, S. H., Iaconi, G. D., & Matousek, A. (2007). Positive and negative deviant workplace behaviors: causes, impacts, and solutions. Corporate Governance: The international journal of business in society.
Heckert, A., & Heckert, D. M. (2002). A new typology of deviance: Integrating normative and reactivist definitions of deviance. Deviant Behavior, 23(5), 449-479.