<P> In sociology , deviance describes an action or behavior that violates social norms , including a formally enacted rule ( e.g. , crime ) , as well as informal violations of social norms ( e.g. , rejecting folkways and mores ) . Although deviance may have a negative connotation , the violation of social norms is not always a negative action ; positive deviation exists in some situations . This is where the norm is violated , yet the behavior can still be classified as positive or acceptable . It is the purview of criminologists , psychiatrists , psychologists , and sociologists to study how these norms are created , how they change over time , and how they are enforced . </P>
<P> In sociology , deviance describes an action or behavior that violates social norms , including a formally enacted rule ( e.g. , crime ) , as well as informal violations of social norms ( e.g. , rejecting folkways and mores ) . Although deviance may have a negative connotation , the violation of social norms is not always a negative action ; positive deviation exists in some situations . This is where the norm is violated , yet the behavior can still be classified as positive or acceptable . It is the purview of criminologists , psychiatrists , psychologists , and sociologists to study how these norms are created , how they change over time , and how they are enforced . </P>
when is deviant behavior deviant according to most sociologists
when is deviant behavior deviant according to most sociologists
an action or behavior that violates social norms
an action or behavior that violates social norms