Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Deviance
(970 words)

1. Concept

Deviance, as conduct that deviates from the norm, is a relational category of social science, since it can sensibly be defined only in relation to that norm. Such norms may be formal and legal in nature (e.g. Criminal law), or they may be social codes of conduct (e.g. moral) that are not necessarily established in written form. Every classification of an act as deviant is simultaneously an action of social control, and sanctions are usually associated with the definition (Soci…

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Schwerhoff, Gerd, “Deviance”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_018275>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20170626



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