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What actions are considered deviant, in a society?

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Final answer:

Deviant actions are those that violate societal norms, which can change over time and vary across cultures. The distinction between deviance and crime is that crime specifically violates official law and can lead to formal sanctions, whereas deviance does not necessarily result in punishment. Societal changes can lead to the normalization of previously deviant behaviors.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Deviance in Society

Actions considered deviant vary by society as they reflect the violation of social norms which can include folkways, mores, or codified law. Deviance is not inherently negative and does not always lead to punishment. For instance, listening to music in inappropriate settings, like during a lecture or in court, may be deemed deviant due to the context, whereas listening to music on the way to class is considered normal. Moreover, what is considered deviant can change over time and across different cultures.

Crime, however, is a behavior that violates official law and is subject to formal sanctions. Some actions may be both deviant and criminal, such as driving with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit, while others may solely be deviant, like walking to class backward. The distinction further emphasizes the variability in perception when it comes to deviance and criminality.

Societal changes often influence the standards of deviance. Behaviors that were once taboo, such as tattoos or single parenthood, may become normalized, reflecting an evolution in societal norms. This change process highlights the ongoing negotiation within a society about what constitutes acceptable behavior, even as some actions, like those during the civil rights movement, challenge existing norms to foster social change.

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