The dictionary defines deviance as the breakdown or diversion from the accepted norm or expected standards of behaviour of a society.

... DEVIANCE & SOCIETY Determining Deviance The dictionary defines deviance as the breakdown or diversion from the accepted norm or expected standards of behaviour of a society. The concept of deviance however has no standard definition, it is deemed to be culturally relative. That is to say that your culture (norms, values and morals) determine what you as an individual or your society deems deviant behaviour. Functionalist Findings on Deviance The functionalist sociologist would see deviance as a necessary evil for society to function. This may seem contradictory to their belief that any form of conflict (deviance being a form of conflict) in society would be considered abnormal and should be removed or cured but deviance does help keep a form of structure in our society. The functionalist believe that this evil is necessary because deviance helps keeps balance, because it provides jobs for judges, law enforcement offices ,social workers and other

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