Final answer:
Normalized deviance refers to the gradual acceptance of deviant behavior when no immediate negative consequences are observed, potentially leading to serious negative outcomes in the long run.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term normalized deviance refers to the concept C. Acceptance of events that are initially allowed because no catastrophic harm appears to result. This occurs when a deviation from the norm becomes accepted by the group, despite potentially having negative consequences. In sociology, this is a phenomenon where behaviors that once were considered deviant become accepted as normal because there have been no immediate negative repercussions or observable harm. This is often seen in organizational contexts, where repeated minor violations of rules become normalized if no serious consequences follow.
For instance, if workers in a company routinely ignore safety protocols and no accidents happen, this might lead to an environment where safety violations are no longer viewed as problematic. It is a drift from established standards, often gradually, to the point where the deviant behavior becomes the norm. In more severe cases, this can eventually lead to disasters, as was studied in high-profile cases like the Challenger space shuttle disaster.