Final answer:
Deviance is related to culture as it defines behavior that violates cultural norms, which can differ by context and change over time. It is not inherently negative and can lead to positive social change by challenging and altering societal norms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deviance is related to culture because it is a violation of the norms that each culture establishes as acceptable behavior. Cultural norms dictate what is considered deviant, which can be minor like picking your nose in public or as serious as committing a crime. Moreover, what is viewed as deviant can change over time and is often interpreted differently across various societies and social contexts. For example, tattoos and single parenthood were once considered deviant, but are now widely accepted in many cultures. The concept of deviance is crucial because it plays a role in social control and can lead to social change by highlighting issues within a society.
Sociologists have proposed several theories to explain deviance and its effects on society, considering different perspectives including functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory. Deviance can foster social change by demonstrating the consequences of violating norms, highlighting societal injustices, and shifting the collective conscience. As Durkheim indicated, the definition and punishment of crime are reflections of a society's collective conscience.