Question

Which of the following is the correct definition of "normalizing deviance", as that term is used in this module?

A."Normalizing deviance" is when a prototype is not performing up to the designated specifications, and the engineers concerned simply change the specification so that standards are lowered, and the device can then be said to "meet" the new, weaker, specification. B."Normalizing deviance" is when a prototype is not performing up to the designated specifications, and the engineers concerned take the trouble to improve the design, use better materials, or better manufacturing techniques, so that the device then clearly meets the original, rigorous specification.
C."Normalizing deviance" is something that happens in large projects involving hundreds of engineers. It is when engineering managers rotate engineers in and out of specific positions in various teams in a carefully planned manner so that those engineers can bring fresh perspective to those positions while still retaining a a general understanding of, and commitment to the project as a whole.
D."Normalizing deviance" is a practical engineering technique for effectively eliminating the effects of sensitive dependence on initial conditions by incorporating a mechanism that reacts to deviations by inserting a counterforce into the system that more or less brings the system back to normal function, thus extending the the time between required manual adjustments to the system.

Answer 1

Normalizing deviance occurs when engineers lower the standards for a device that doesn't meet specifications instead of improving its design or quality.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term “normalizing deviance” refers to a situation where deviations from expected standards become accepted practice, typically in a professional environment, such as engineering or management. The correct definition of “normalizing deviance”, as used in this module, is when a device fails to perform to its set specifications, and rather than improving its design or quality, the engineers lower the standards so that the device appears to meet expectations. This practice can lead to systemic flaws being overlooked, sometimes with significant negative consequences.

In this module, the correct definition of 'normalizing deviance' is option A: 'Normalizing deviance' is when a prototype is not performing up to the designated specifications, and the engineers concerned simply change the specification so that standards are lowered, and the device can then be said to meet the new, weaker, specification.