Deviance and Social Control

Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate societal norms or rules, which can vary across cultures and contexts. Social control involves the mechanisms—like laws, customs, and institutions—that aim to maintain order by encouraging conformity and discouraging deviance. Together, they shape how society defines what is acceptable or unacceptable, promoting stability while also allowing for social change. Essentially, deviance highlights behaviors that challenge norms, while social control seeks to regulate behavior to preserve social harmony.