Deviance vs. Crime: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 2, 2024
Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate social norms, not necessarily laws; Crime is an action or activity that violates legal codes and is punishable by law.
Key Differences
Deviance encompasses actions or behaviors that go against societal norms, regardless of their legality. This can include both minor social faux pas and major transgressions. Crime, on the other hand, specifically refers to behaviors that violate legal statutes and are subject to legal penalties. Therefore, all crimes are deviant, but not all deviant acts are crimes.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
The concept of deviance is largely dependent on cultural and societal norms, which can vary greatly between different communities and over time. For example, a behavior considered deviant in one society might be completely acceptable in another. Crime, in contrast, is defined by laws, which are more concrete and uniform within a legal jurisdiction but can also vary between different regions and countries.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Deviance is a broader and more subjective concept than crime. It includes a wide range of behaviors, from minor breaches of etiquette to serious actions that might also be crimes. On the contrary, crime is a legal definition involving actions that have been codified as illegal by the government. Crimes are punishable by the state, whereas deviance may only result in social sanctions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Social reactions to deviance vary widely and can include anything from mild disapproval to outright hostility, depending on the severity of the deviation from norms. The social response to crime, however, is more formal and systematic, often involving the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and correctional institutions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Deviance can sometimes lead to positive social change by challenging outdated or unfair norms. In contrast, crime generally elicits a negative response aimed at punishing the offender and deterring future violations. This difference highlights the complex nature of societal rules and their enforcement.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Dependence on Society
Highly dependent on cultural and societal norms
Defined by specific laws within a jurisdiction
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Feb 02, 2024
Range of Behaviors
Can be minor or major, not necessarily illegal
Always involves illegal actions
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Feb 02, 2024
Legal Consequences
No legal penalties, only social disapproval
Subject to legal penalties and enforcement
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Feb 02, 2024
Potential for Social Change
Can lead to positive change by challenging norms
Generally viewed negatively, aiming for deterrence
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Feb 02, 2024
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Deviance and Crime Definitions
Deviance
Acts that diverge from societal standards.
Speaking loudly in a library is a form of deviance.
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Jan 24, 2024
Crime
An act against legal codes of conduct.
Hacking into someone's computer is a crime.
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Jan 24, 2024
Deviance
Behavior that strays from accepted societal norms.
Wearing a costume to a formal event is considered deviance.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
Crime
Law-breaking behavior subject to legal sanctions.
Selling illegal substances is a crime.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
Deviance
The violation of social or cultural norms.
Refusing to stand for the national anthem may be viewed as deviance.
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Jan 24, 2024
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Deviance
Nonconformity to established social expectations.
Choosing not to marry can be seen as deviance in some cultures.
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Jan 24, 2024
Crime
An act committed in violation of law where the consequence of conviction by a court is punishment, especially where the punishment is a serious one such as imprisonment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Deviance
Behavior outside the bounds of societal acceptance.
Extreme body modifications can be considered deviance in many societies.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 24, 2024
Deviance
Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Deviance
One that differs from a norm, especially a person whose behavior and attitudes differ from accepted social standards.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Crime
An unjust, senseless, or disgraceful act or condition
It's a crime to waste all that paper.
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Jan 22, 2024
Deviance
(sociology) Actions or behaviors that violate formal and informal cultural norms such as laws and customs.
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
(uncountable) The habit or practice of committing crimes.
Crime doesn’t pay.
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
Any violation of law, either divine or human; an omission of a duty commanded, or the commission of an act forbidden by law.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 22, 2024
Crime
Gross violation of human law, in distinction from a misdemeanor or trespass, or other slight offense. Hence, also, any aggravated offense against morality or the public welfare; any outrage or great wrong.
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
Any great wickedness or sin; iniquity.
No crime was thine, if 'tis no crime to love.
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
That which occasion crime.
The tree of life, the crime of our first father's fall.
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act;
A long record of crimes
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Jan 22, 2024
Crime
Illegal activity punishable by the state.
Driving under the influence is a serious crime.
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Jan 24, 2024
Crime
Violation of statutory legal provisions.
Committing fraud is a crime punishable by law.
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Jan 24, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a behavior be deviant but not criminal?
Yes, many behaviors are deviant but not criminal, like certain social taboos.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
What defines deviance?
Deviance is behavior that violates societal norms or expectations.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Are all crimes considered deviant?
Yes, all crimes are considered deviant as they violate societal norms.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Who determines what is a crime?
Legal systems and governments determine what actions constitute a crime.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Can deviance lead to positive social change?
Yes, deviant behavior can challenge outdated norms and lead to positive change.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
What are legal consequences of crime?
Legal consequences can include fines, imprisonment, or other penalties.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
How is crime detected and punished?
Crime is detected through law enforcement and punished through the judicial system.
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Feb 02, 2024
What is a crime?
A crime is an action or activity that violates legal statutes and is punishable by law.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
How do societal norms influence deviance?
Societal norms define what is considered deviant, which can vary between cultures.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
What role do cultural values play in defining crime?
Cultural values influence the laws that define what is considered a crime.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Are criminal laws the same everywhere?
No, criminal laws vary significantly between different countries and jurisdictions.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
How do social norms change over time in terms of deviance?
Social norms evolve, thus what is considered deviant can change over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Does deviance always elicit a negative response?
Not always; responses to deviance can range from disapproval to acceptance.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
How does society react to crime?
Society generally reacts to crime with condemnation and support for legal punishment.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Can deviance be legal?
Yes, deviance can be legal if it doesn't violate any laws.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Can the same behavior be deviant in one society but not in another?
Yes, deviance is culturally relative and can vary between societies.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Is breaking a social norm always considered deviant?
Typically yes, but the degree of deviance can vary based on the norm and context.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Is the enforcement of laws against crimes uniform?
Enforcement varies but is typically more uniform than the response to deviance.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Can a legal action be considered deviant?
Yes, if it goes against societal norms, even legal actions can be seen as deviant.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
Can the perception of what is a crime change?
Yes, societal and legal changes can lead to a shift in what is considered a crime.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 02, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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