Final answer:
Deviance is the violation of societal norms, which can vary between societies and change over time. While not always bad or punishable, deviance differs from crime, which specifically involves legal violations. Sociological theories explain the reasons and effects of both concepts on society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Deviance refers to the violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms. It is a concept that widely varies across different societies and is subject to change over time. Sociologist William Graham Sumner indicated that deviance could be as minor as inappropriate public behavior or as extreme as serious crimes. Not all deviant acts are necessarily bad or punishable; they can be essential for social change as noted from a functionalist perspective.
Crime, however, is a type of deviance that involves the violation of formal legal codes, resulting in possible formal sanctions. Deviance and crime differ, as crime is specifically linked to the breach of law. Various sociological theories, including differential association theory, strain theory, and labeling theory, provide insights into the motivations and societal implications of deviance and crime.
Cultural perceptions of deviance are dynamic and can shift, as seen with tattoos and divorce, which were once considered deviant but are now more generally accepted within society. The relationship between deviance and crime, as well as their impacts on societal norms and structures, is a central concern in understanding societal behavior.