Deviance vs. Deviation — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 18, 2024
Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate societal norms and values, while deviation is a general term describing any departure from the norm or average, applicable in statistical and behavioral contexts.
Difference Between Deviance and Deviation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Deviance in a sociological context refers to actions or behaviors that go against the established societal norms and are often subject to negative judgment or sanctions. On the other hand, deviation simply refers to the act of departing from an established course or norm, and can apply to a variety of fields, including statistics, where it typically denotes a difference from an average or expected value.
While deviance is specifically concerned with normative violations in a social context and carries moral and legal implications, deviation is a neutral term that does not inherently imply any judgment or moral weighting. Deviation can be observed in behaviors, measurements, or even in mathematical contexts, but without the societal connotations tied to deviance.
Deviance is often studied in criminology and sociology to understand the boundaries of acceptable behavior and the reactions to those who break these boundaries. Conversely, deviation is a fundamental concept in fields like statistics, where it is used to describe the variability or spread in data, showing how much individual data points differ from the mean.
In terms of response, societal reactions to deviance can include punishment, stigma, or rehabilitation, reflecting the importance of maintaining societal norms. Deviation, especially in statistical terms, often leads to further analysis to understand the reasons for the difference from expected patterns, but does not involve moral or social judgments.
Cultural and temporal contexts greatly influence what is considered deviance, as societal norms vary widely across different societies and periods. Deviation, however, remains a constant concept in its respective fields, such as mathematics and science, where it simply measures difference without cultural influence.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Behavior violating societal norms
Departure from an established norm
Contexts
Sociological, ethical, legal
Statistical, mathematical, general behavior
Implications
Moral, legal judgments
Neutral, analytical
Study Fields
Sociology, criminology
Statistics, mathematics
Cultural Dependence
High, varies with societal norms
Low, concepts remain consistent across contexts
Compare with Definitions
Deviance
Behavior that violates social norms, often resulting in social sanctions.
In many cultures, theft is considered an act of deviance.
Deviation
A departure from usual behavior or standards.
His sudden deviation from routine worried his family.
Deviance
The quality of being different or deviating from the norm in a conspicuous way.
His deviance from corporate culture led to conflicts at work.
Deviation
In mathematics, the amount by which a single measurement differs from a fixed value such as the mean.
Calculating the deviation helps identify outliers in the data set.
Deviance
Nonconformity to accepted standards of behavior in society or a group.
Wearing casual clothes at a formal event may be seen as deviance.
Deviation
The action of departing from an established course or norm.
The deviation from the flight path caused concern.
Deviance
Sociological term describing actions or behaviors that are sanctioned because they deviate from societal expectations.
Deviance in societal norms can lead to criminal charges.
Deviation
Difference between an observed value and an expected or average value, especially in statistics.
The standard deviation measures the average deviation of each data point from the mean.
Deviance
A measure of the extent to which someone deviates from societal norms.
Sociologists study deviance to understand social control mechanisms.
Deviation
Deviation in a physical context might refer to changes in motion or direction.
The spacecraft's deviation from its course was corrected by the autopilot.
Deviance
Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
Deviation
The amount by which a single measurement differs from a fixed value such as the mean
A significant deviation from the average value
Deviance
One that differs from a norm, especially a person whose behavior and attitudes differ from accepted social standards.
Deviation
The deflection of a ship's compass needle caused by iron in the ship.
Deviance
(sociology) Actions or behaviors that violate formal and informal cultural norms such as laws and customs.
Deviation
The act of deviating or turning aside.
Deviance
A person or thing that differs from the expected. en
Deviation
An instance of this
"We made so many deviations up and down lanes ... that I was quite tired, and very glad, when we saw Yarmouth" (Charles Dickens).
Deviance
An aberrant state or condition.
Deviation
Divergence from an accepted idea, policy, or norm of behavior
"Freud, as the leader of a powerful new movement, could not bear much deviation from his own central ideas" (Joseph Epstein).
Deviance
Deviate behavior.
Deviation
An instance of this; an abnormality or departure from a norm
"Vice was a deviation from our nature" (Henry Fielding).
Deviance
A state or condition markedly different from the norm
Deviation
Deflection of a compass needle caused by local magnetic influence, especially on a ship.
Deviance
Deviate behavior
Deviation
(Statistics) The difference, especially the absolute difference, between one number in a set of data and the mean of that set of data.
Deviation
The act of deviating; wandering off the correct or true path or road.
Deviation
A departure from the correct way of acting.
Deviation
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
Mankind’s deviation from divine will
Deviation
A detour in a road or railway.
Deviation
(aviation) A detour to one side of the originally-planned flightpath (for instance, to avoid weather); the act of making such a detour.
Deviation
(contract law) The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation
(Absolute Deviation) The shortest distance between the center of the target and the point where a projectile hits or bursts.
Deviation
(statistics) For interval variables and ratio variables, a measure of difference between the observed value and the mean.
Deviation
(metrology) The signed difference between a value and its reference value.
Deviation
The act of deviating; a wandering from the way; variation from the common way, from an established rule, etc.; departure, as from the right course or the path of duty.
Deviation
The state or result of having deviated; a transgression; an act of sin; an error; an offense.
Deviation
The voluntary and unnecessary departure of a ship from, or delay in, the regular and usual course of the specific voyage insured, thus releasing the underwriters from their responsibility.
Deviation
The difference between an expected value of an observation or measurement and the actual value.
Deviation
A variation that deviates from the standard or norm;
The deviation from the mean
Deviation
The difference between an observed value and the expected value of a variable or function
Deviation
The error of a compass due to local magnetic disturbances
Deviation
Deviate behavior
Deviation
A turning aside (of your course or attention or concern);
A diversion from the main highway
A digression into irrelevant details
A deflection from his goal
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between deviance and deviation?
Deviance specifically refers to behavior that goes against societal norms, often carrying negative implications, while deviation is a broader term that refers to any departure from a norm, usually without moral judgment.
Can deviation have a positive connotation?
Yes, in many fields, such as innovation or research, deviation from the norm can be positive, indicating new discoveries or improvements.
Is all deviance criminal?
No, not all deviant behaviors are criminal; some may simply violate social norms without breaking laws.
Does the concept of deviance change over time?
Yes, what is considered deviant can change as societal norms evolve; behaviors once seen as deviant may become accepted over time.
Are deviations always obvious?
Not necessarily; in statistics, for instance, deviations might be small and only detectable through detailed analysis.
Can a deviation be unintentional?
Yes, deviations can be unintentional, especially in contexts like navigation or measurement, where they often result from errors or unexpected factors.
How do societies respond to deviance?
Societal responses to deviance can include sanctions, rehabilitation, or, alternatively, eventual acceptance and norm change.
How is deviation measured in statistics?
In statistics, deviation is typically measured as the difference between observed values and the mean or expected value, often calculated using methods like standard deviation.
How does cultural context affect deviance?
Cultural context heavily influences what behaviors are considered deviant, as different societies have different norms and values.
Is deviance always negative?
While often viewed negatively, deviance can also lead to positive social change by challenging outdated norms and fostering new ideas.
Can someone be both deviant and conformist?
Yes, individuals can exhibit deviance in some aspects while conforming to other societal norms, depending on the context and personal beliefs.
What role does deviance play in social regulation?
Deviance plays a critical role in defining the limits of acceptable behavior, helping societies enforce norms and maintain order.
How is deviation used in quality control?
In quality control, deviation is used to determine how far products deviate from desired specifications, guiding corrections and improvements.
What skills are necessary to analyze deviation?
Skills in statistical analysis, critical thinking, and data interpretation are essential for effectively analyzing deviations in various fields.
What might cause a deviation in scientific experiments?
Variations in experimental conditions, measurement errors, or external influences can cause deviations in scientific experiments.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
