Final answer:
Deviant behavior is behavior that violates social norms, and its perception is highly context-dependent. Over time, societal views on what is considered deviant have evolved, affecting laws and overall social change. Deviance is not always negative, as it can prompt progress and adjustments in social values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deviant behavior is defined as any behavior considered deviant by public consensus. This encompasses actions that violate established contextual, cultural, or social norms, which can range from minor infractions like speaking loudly at inappropriate times to more serious offenses like committing a crime. Sociologists recognize that deviance can be seen as relative, where behaviors may be deemed deviant based on circumstances more than the behavior itself. This conception of deviance is important to understand because it plays a role in social change, reflecting society's evolving standards and values over time.
For instance, while attending a funeral, if an adult speaks loudly or tells jokes, they could be labeled as disrespectful or unusual, yet just an hour later those same behaviors at a post-funeral gathering could be acceptable and encouraged. Moreover, acts that were once viewed as deviant, such as tattoos or single parenthood, have become widely accepted, indicating the fluid nature of society’s perception of deviance.
Laws and legal codes also play a critical role in defining deviant behavior. While some acts are strictly illegal, the line between deviance and crime can be ambiguous, as demonstrated by historical examples of civil rights activists intentionally violating laws to foster social change or more recent shifts in social norms concerning gambling or marijuana use.