Final answer:
In the early 21st century U.S., stealing a car is considered deviant behavior as it involves criminal activity. Taking a midday nap at work may be frowned upon but is not severely deviant, while chewing gum during a political speech could be seen as unprofessional but not criminally deviant.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deviant behavior is a sociological term that refers to actions that violate the norms and expectations of a society. In the United States of the early 21st century, stealing a car would certainly be considered deviant behavior, as it not only breaks social norms but also involves the destruction or theft of property and is illegal. Taking a midday nap at work, while perhaps unusual or frowned upon depending on workplace culture, is generally not considered as deviant as committing a crime. Chewing gum while giving a political speech may breach conventional public speaking etiquettes and be viewed as unprofessional or rude, but it is not on par with the deviance seen in criminal behavior like car theft.
Deviant behaviors are context-dependent, meaning the same action can be interpreted differently in various situations. For instance, listening to music in public on headphones is acceptable, whereas doing so in the courtroom may be seen as contempt. The perceptions of deviance can also change over time, such as the shift in attitudes toward gambling or female dress codes or the use of masks during a pandemic.