Final answer:
Deviance is relative and is considered to be defined by cultural and social norms that fluctuate across different societies and over time. Norm violations can range from minor to serious, and the perception of what constitutes deviance can change according to shifts in societal values or legal definitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, deviance is indeed relative and a matter of social definition. Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate societal norms, which are not absolute but vary across different cultures and can change over time. Sociologist William Graham Sumner highlights that deviance can include a range of actions from minor to serious, emphasizing that norms can be cultural, social, or legal in nature. An action considered deviant in one social context may be acceptable in another, demonstrating the relative nature of deviance. Furthermore, because norms and societal values differ vastly, what is deemed deviant is subject to change based on evolving cultural understandings and legal frameworks.
Deviance is not limited to crime; it encompasses various behaviors, many of which may not be illegal but are frowned upon in certain contexts. Sociologists investigate deviance using different theories, such as the functionalist perspective, which suggests that deviance serves to reinforce societal norms and promote social change, or the conflict theory which argues that deviance arises from social inequality.
Edwin Lemert introduced concepts related to primary deviance, which are mild norm violations not resulting in long-term effects on a person's self-concept or societal role. Meanwhile, cases like the Little Rock Nine illustrate how social control mechanisms respond to deviance and are imbued with cultural interpretations and potential prejudices. These examples demonstrate how the public perception of deviance is closely tied to societal contexts and existing power dynamics.