Final answer:
Deviance is a non-conformity to social norms, ranging from minor breaches of etiquette to severe violations. It is not necessarily criminal or negative; its perception is influenced by context and social reactions. Crime is a subset of deviance that involves legal transgressions and formal penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Deviance and Its Relationship with Crime
Deviance refers to actions that violate established social norms, which can range from simple etiquette breaches to serious violations like murder. While deviance might imply negative behaviour, sociologists recognize that it can lead to positive social change. Crime, on the other hand, refers to actions that breach formal legal codes and are subject to official sanctions.
The relationship between deviance and crime is complex. Deviance is not exclusively criminal and can be as trivial as unconventional behavior in public. Crimes are deviant acts that violate laws and typically carry legal penalties. However, not every act classified as a crime is considered 'bad'; for instance, some historical acts of civil disobedience aimed at challenging unjust laws are now viewed positively.
Societal sanctions, both informal and formal, aim to suppress deviant behavior. However, when society's ability to enforce norms weakens, deviance can become more prevalent. Theories like differential association theory and labeling theory explore how individuals come to engage in deviant behavior and the social ramifications that result from being labeled as deviant.