Main forms of deviant behavior

Deviant behavior

(also
social deviation, deviant behavior
) (lat. deviatio - deviation) is a stable behavior of an individual that deviates from the generally accepted, most widespread and established social norms. Negative deviant behavior leads to the application by society of certain formal and informal sanctions (isolation, treatment, correction or punishment of the offender)[1]. Deviance as a social phenomenon and society’s reaction to it is studied by sociology, individual deviations by psychology.

The problem of deviant behavior has been in the spotlight since the beginning of sociology. French sociologist Emile Durkheim, who wrote the classic work Suicide (1897), is considered one of the founders of modern deviantology. He introduced the concept of anomie, a state of confusion and disorientation in society during crises or radical social change. Durkheim explained this using the example of the increase in suicide rates during unexpected economic downturns and booms. A follower of Durkheim, American sociologist Robert King Merton, within the framework of his theory of structural functionalism, created one of the first sociological classifications of human behavioral reactions.

Definition of deviant behavior

Different scientific disciplines give different definitions of deviant behavior:

Social sciences: social phenomena that pose a real threat to the physical and social survival of a person in a given social environment, immediate environment, a group of social and moral norms and cultural values, disruption of the process of assimilation and reproduction of norms and values, as well as self-development and self-realization in that society, to which a person belongs.
Medical approach: deviation from the norms of interpersonal interactions accepted in a given society: actions, deeds, statements made both within the framework of mental health and in various forms of neuropsychic pathology, especially at the borderline level.
Psychological approach: deviation from socio-psychological and moral norms, presented either as an erroneous antisocial pattern of conflict resolution, manifested in violation of socially accepted norms, or in damage caused to public well-being, others and oneself.

Negative deviations

But most of us are concerned about deviant behavior because of its negativity. We will condemn what threatens ourselves and society as a whole. And such manifestations of human abilities include the following:

crimes;
addictions (alcohol, drugs);
prostitution;
suicide.

Now these are no longer isolated cases. And as liberal values strengthen, the degradation of social institutions will only increase. Negative deviation threatens the individual himself, each of us individually and society as a whole.

Examples of negative deviant behavior from life.

Classifications

There are different approaches to the classification of deviant behavior, both in complexity and content. Differences in classifications are caused by the fact that different branches of science (psychology, medicine, criminology, etc.) and scientific schools have different understandings of what forms of behavior can be called deviations, how to distinguish a norm from a deviation, whether a behavioral deviation can be constructive (positive) ) character, or only destructive.

R. K. Merton, within the framework of his theory of structural functionalism, created one of the first sociological classifications of human behavioral reactions (1938)[2][3]. His model presents 5 ways of adapting an individual to the conditions existing in society, each of which is characterized by whether the individual approves of the goals of society and the means by which society achieves these goals (some of these reactions are essentially types of deviant behavior):

Submission (submission to the goals and means of achieving the goals of society);
Innovation (subordination to the goals of society, but not to the means of achieving them);
Ritualism (the goal is rejected as unattainable, but adherence to tradition remains);
Retreatism (withdrawal from society, disagreement with goals and means of achieving goals);
Rebellion (an attempt to introduce a new social order, both goals and means change).

Ts. P. Korolenko and T. A. Donskikh proposed the following classification of behavioral deviations:[4]

non-standard behavior (actions that go beyond social stereotypes of behavior, but play a positive role in the development of society):
destructive behavior:
antisocial (violation of laws and rights of other people);
intra-destructive behavior (aimed at the disintegration of the personality itself: suicidal, conformist, narcissistic, fanatical, autistic behavior).

Useful Deviations

Deviant behavior can also bring positive results to society. These include actions aimed at changing those values and norms that no longer work. Those. they ensure the development of society. The world is constantly changing.

This behavior of some extraordinary people is initially rejected by society. That is why it is considered deviant, because for most people it seems eccentric, absurd, and therefore unacceptable. These deviations can be divided into the following types:

brilliant scientific inventions;
achieving global recognition in creativity;
new ideas, innovation, innovation.

Examples of positive deviant behavior in history.

Albert Einstein. The theory of relativity he created produced a scientific revolution in physics. His theory of gravitational waves and quantum teleportation was perceived as science fiction by the scientific community of the time. And now this is a reality that is being developed by dozens of institutions.
Salvador Dali. Considered the most famous artist of the surreal genre. And at the same time, he is the most shocking of all hitherto known. Creative people have always been perceived with difficulty by society. But their originality and genius are revealed in their abnormality.
Jacque Fresco. American futurist who created and promoted the Venus project. A city of the future, where people live in the system of scientific and technological progress and in harmony with nature. By the way, there will be no money in this world. Now it looks funny. But someday we will remember this.
Alexander Suvorov. The brilliant Russian commander took part in more than 60 battles and did not lose a single one. His famous crossing of the Alps and the capture of the impregnable (at that time) fortress of Ishmael seemed impossible for the people of his era. But he thought and acted differently from others.

Causes and signs of deviant behavior

Deviant personal behavior is behavior that does not correspond to generally accepted or officially established social norms.
Deviant behavior and the personality exhibiting it cause negative evaluation from other people (social sanctions).
Deviant behavior causes real damage to the person himself or to the people around him. Thus, deviant behavior is destructive or self-destructive.
Deviant behavior can be characterized as persistently repeated (repeated or prolonged).
Deviant behavior must be consistent with the general orientation of the individual.
Deviant behavior is considered within the medical norm.
Deviant behavior is accompanied by phenomena of social maladjustment.
Deviant behavior has a pronounced individual and age-gender specificity.

The term “deviant behavior” can be applied to children at least 5 years old.

The causes of deviant behavior can be determined by several prevailing factors that could influence the individual.

Biological. People, by their biological make-up, are already predisposed to act differently from what society tells them to do. Most often, such people can be identified by their appearance.
Psychological. Deviation develops due to the influence of external factors and stimuli on a person, as well as his personal psychological qualities, which are innate in nature.
Sociological. The easiest way to explain them is with the help of the Theory of Anomie, according to which in society there is a rejection of social norms and values, their complete collapse, and a certain state of vacuum is formed in society.

What is deviation: types and examples

Deviation translated from Latin means deviation.
In psychology there is such a thing as deviant behavior. If the actions and actions of an individual do not correspond to the norms of behavior established in society, then such a deviation from the rules is a sign of deviation. In any society, people are obliged to behave according to generally accepted rules. Relations between citizens are regulated by laws, traditions, and etiquette. Deviant behavior also includes social phenomena expressed in stable forms of human activity that do not comply with the rules established in society. Types of deviation:

delinquent (crime);
asocial (ignoring rules and traditions);
self-destructive (bad habits, suicide);
psychopathological (mental diseases);
dissocial (abnormal behavior);
paracharacterological (deviations due to improper upbringing).

Deviation can be positive or negative. If an individual strives to transform life, and his actions are dictated by the desire to qualitatively change the social system, then there is nothing reprehensible in this desire. However, if a person’s actions lead to disorganization of the social environment, and to achieve his goals he uses illegal methods, then this indicates the individual’s inability to socialize and unwillingness to adapt to the requirements of society. Actions that go beyond the law are examples of negative legal deviation.

Social deviation can be both positive and negative. A deviant act in society depends on the motivation that determines it. Manifestation of fearlessness and heroism, scientific innovations, travel and making new geographical discoveries are signs of positive deviation. Positive deviants are: A. Einstein, H. Columbus, Giordano Bruno and others.

Examples of negative and illegal deviant behavior:

commission of a criminal act;
alcohol and drug abuse;
sex for money.

Such negative actions are condemned by society and punished according to the norms of criminal law. However, some types of deviant behavior are so firmly rooted in the life of society that their presence does not surprise anyone. People are critical of negativity, although sometimes they try not to notice the deviating behavior of other members of society.

Deviant behavior in dystopia

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Science fiction authors sometimes use ordinary humane behavior as deviant in the dystopian societies they describe. This is how Ray Bradbury shows reading as deviant in Fahrenheit 451; in Sergei Lukyanenko’s “Stars are Cold Toys” Geometers consider touching and hugging deviant (for everyone except Mentors); For the world of the novel “1984” described by George Orwell, any personal relationship is deviant. Natural behavior that we understand becomes the starting point for deviation

society itself.

Another example is Yevgeny Zamyatin’s novel “”; in which a deviant is considered a person who has a soul, is capable of loving and thinking abstractly from the accepted dogma in society, based on Taylorism, the subordination of any human activity to the laws of algebra and geometry.

Psychotherapeutic approach

It is quite possible to correct deviant behavior with the help of psychotherapy. In most cases, psychological work is carried out with the deviant’s immediate environment.

The main options for psychotherapeutic influence are cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic psychotherapy, and art therapy. Psychological correction is aimed at transforming behavior, ideas and values. It can be structured as a certain kind of “training in correct behavior.” And include learning how to conduct a constructive dialogue, getting rid of internal defense mechanisms, developing personality traits, and helping with adaptation.

Psychotherapeutic work can be carried out either individually or in the form of group work. Communication trainings, classes on the topic of personal growth and self-development, and trainings aimed at combating negative attitudes, phobias, complexes, and unstable self-esteem are considered in demand.

Deviant behavior of children or adults, even at the initial stages, requires attention and socio-psychological control and correction. It is not difficult for relevant specialists to identify one or another form of deviant behavior and select effective methods of therapy. Often, a person, especially a child or teenager, is unable to cope with the changes that arise on their own. That is why it is so important to provide support from friends and family, and to carry out work by psychologists and psychotherapists. This will prevent the development of pathology and deterioration in a person’s standard of living.

Author of the article: Alena Igorevna Lobzova, clinical psychologist, specialist in developmental psychology

Notes

Gromov I. A., Matskevich I. A., Semenov V. A. Western sociology. - St. Petersburg: DNA Publishing House LLC, 2003. - P. 532.
Merton RK “Social Structure and Anomie”, American Sociological Review (English) Russian, 3, October, 1938, p. 672—682
Merton R.K.
Social structure and anomie // Sociology of crime (Modern bourgeois theories) / trans. from French Samarskaya E. A., editor. lane Gretsky M. N. - M.: Progress, 1966.
Korolenko T.P., Donskikh T.A. Seven paths to disaster: Destructive behavior in the modern world. - Novosibirsk: Publishing House "Nauka", 1990.

Literature

in Russian

Gilinsky Ya. I. Deviantology: sociology of crime, drug addiction, prostitution, suicide and other “deviations.” — 2nd ed. corr. and additional - St. Petersburg: Publishing house of R. Aslanov "Legal Center Press", 2007. - 528 p.
Deviating behavior / Gilinsky Ya. I. // Oceanarium - Oyashio. - M.: Great Russian Encyclopedia, 2014. - P. 652. - (Big Russian Encyclopedia: [in 35 volumes] / chief editor Yu. S. Osipov; 2004-2017, vol. 24). — ISBN 978-5-85270-361-3.
Zmanovskaya E.V. Deviantology (Psychology of deviant behavior): Textbook. aid for students higher textbook establishments. — 2nd ed., rev. - M.: Publishing House, 2004. - 288 p. ISBN 5-7695-1782-4.
Kovalchuk M. A. Prevention of deviant behavior among high school students: Monograph. Yaroslavl: Publishing house YAGPU im. K. D. Ushinsky, 2002. - 242 p. ISBN 5-87555-132-1.
Komlev Yu. Yu., Safiullin N. Kh. Sociology of deviant behavior. 2nd ed. Kazan, 2006;
Kozachenko I. Ya., Korsakov K. V. Criminology: Textbook. M.: NORMA-INFRA-M, 2011. - 304 p. ISBN 978-5-91768-209-9.
Ostapenko G.S., Ostapenko R.I. Analysis of personality traits of adolescents with deviant behavior // Perspectives of science and education. - 2013. - No. 1. - P.54-60.
Plakhov V.D. Norm and deviation in society: a philosophical and theoretical introduction to social ethology. St. Petersburg, 2011;

in other languages

Goode E. Deviant behavior. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, 2011.

Why is this relevant now?

The increase in cases of negative deviant behavior is becoming a pressing issue. Psychology can explain the mechanism of this phenomenon. But the reasons motivating such behavior are in the costs of our social structure (socio-economic).

An unfair system of distribution of labor results gives rise to conflicts of consciousness. Outwardly, many agree with the accepted rules of the game of capitalism. But internally we protest. Especially when it affects us personally. Negative emotions from such experiences destroy us from the inside.

Such feelings occur to both teenagers and adults. Those whose psyche is more or less stable are more likely to choose the path of crime. And those who have not yet strengthened it or are weak from the very beginning, follow the path of self-destruction.