Final answer:
Unwanted but inevitable deviations from the normal case are referred to as deviance, which includes actions that violate societal norms but are not always negative or punishable. They can range from minor social faux pas to serious crimes, and their impact can lead to social change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Unwanted but inevitable deviations from the normal case are commonly referred to as deviance. In sociology, deviance is understood as the violation of established social norms, which may or may not coincide with legal boundaries, shaping what is considered a crime. Deviance can range from minor infractions, like nose picking in public, to serious violations such as murder. However, sociologists recognize that deviance isn't inherently negative, as it can contribute to social change and is not always punishable. The term has a broad scope, covering actions that are outside of the norm and that might result in either change or sanction depending on the societal context.
Examples of Deviance versus Crime
Walking to class backward can be considered a deviant behavior, while driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit is a crime. Also, historically significant acts, such as civil rights protests that violated laws at the time, may be seen as deviant but have led to positive social changes. It's important to understand the distinction between deviant acts that are harmful and those that lead to progress.
In biological contexts, deviations such as genetic maladaptations can result in harmful consequences, while in data analysis, a potential outlier may provide key insights into the data despite being a deviation from other data points. Moreover, behaviors may be viewed as deviant depending on the situation, such as telling jokes at a funeral, which might be inappropriate in one context but acceptable in another, following the funeral.