Final answer:
Deviance refers to actions, beliefs, or characteristics that violate societal norms, which vary across cultures and time. It's not always negative and not necessarily synonymous with crime, which involves violations of codified law.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Deviance in Society
Deviance is a violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms. It is a much broader concept than crime; while all crimes can be considered deviant, not all forms of deviance are criminal. The determining factor of what is considered deviant behavior is its departure from societal norms, which varies widely across different cultures and time periods. An action, belief, or human characteristic becomes deviant when it violates group norms, which are dynamic and subject to change.
Crime, by contrast, is a behavior that explicitly violates codified laws, and involves formal sanctions. While deviance can include a wide array of behaviors—from minor social faux pas to acts of rebellion—crime is specifically associated with legal codes and the justice system. It's important to acknowledge that not all deviance is negative; it can actually contribute to positive social change by challenging unfair norms and inspiring reform. The interpretation of deviance is often influenced by social power structures, resulting in what conflict theorists assert is a manifestation of inequality.
Examples of deviance would include an adult speaking loudly at a funeral or someone walking to class backward—situations that violate social norms but are not necessarily crimes. Moreover, issues like political dissent or cultural differences may underscore the relative nature of deviance. Therefore, among the provided options, the best description of deviance is that it is an action, belief, or human characteristic that violates group norms and is contextually defined rather than universally established.