A Paper about Deviance

Deviance is the violation of cultural norms in either formal or informal contexts. It

is a phenomenon that exists in all societies. The act of being deviant refers to the
behavior that violates social norms and expectations. However, there can be certain
human behavior which can be deviant in one society while not-so-deviant in another.
Each society has formal laws and rules, and informal social norms in place that aim to
deter people from committing deviant acts. Deviant acts are classified in two categories,
namely formal and informal. Formal deviance relates to criminal acts as dictated by the
law, while informal deviance is dictated by social norms. Formal deviant acts are
punishable by the law. Informal deviant acts can be considered offensive but they may
not earn any severe punishment. A societys perception of what constitutes deviant
behavior is generally derived from logistical considerations. In most societys, however
there is no explicit prohibition of such behavior; individuals are instead educated about
the dangers and granted license to decide for themselves what is acceptable.
Social Strain Typology is a sociological theory that explains deviance and was
developed by American sociologist Robert K. Merton. His typology of deviance was
based on two criteria: a persons motivations to cultural goals, and his belief in how to
attain these goals. There are five types of deviance based on these criteria according to
Merton: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. This typology
suggests that people can turn to deviance in the pursuit of widely accepted social
values and goals. Thus, deviance can be the result of accepting one norm, but rejecting
the other in order to pursue the first.
A group experiment about deviance was executed on the morning of the 10 th of
February at the campus of Mapa Institute of Technology. Three individuals namely,
Trixie Nicole Cammagay, Mariah Cheska Dellupac, and Yzzabel Denise Tolentino, are
used as the tools for the social experiment where they have put face mask all over their
face and a towel to be wrapped in their hair and flaunted it in the whole campus.
Those three entering the school gate already caught attention especially from the
guards and the students who are bound to go to their respective classes. While the
three where roaming at the school grounds, they were laughed, stared, and some
ignored them. The three roamed from the entrance gate, the front of gymnasium and
spent a little longer at the school cafeteria.
After finishing their task, interviews were made at some randomly selected
individuals whose reaction were the most promising and memorable. Most of them said
in the interview that they are surprised seeing those three because it is very peculiar
that they have the temerity to enter the school with a large number of students with
things on their body which are very new to their eyes. Some find it funny. Overall, they
find it very strange because that was the first time someone did such act in the campus
of Mapa Institute of Technology.
 Therefore, we conclude that deviant act plays an active and constructive in
society by ultimately helping to cohere different populations within a particular society. It
helps to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. It draws a line
demarcates boundaries. Deviant acts can also promote social unity by creating an us-
versus-them mentality in relation to deviant individuals. It can imbalance the social
equilibrium therefore it is seen as one means for society to change over time.

By: Toribio Noel Luis Ilao, Jamairy Pararuan, Trixie Ann Nicole Cammagay, Mariah
Cheska Dellupac, Yzzabel Denise Tolentino
To: Sir Hector Brizuela