Types and forms of deviant behavior. Forms of deviant behavior

Deviant behavior is considered if it is contrary to generally accepted social norms, legally established or established historically in a particular society and period. To understand what deviant behavior is, it is necessary to define a social norm. Under the social norm is meant the limits of what is allowed, on the one hand, and mandatory, on the other, in the actions of a person or a community of people, which guarantees the preservation of the structure of society.

Deviations from the norm can be conditionally divided into positive and negative. Positive deviations are understood as actions or activities aimed at combating obsolete social standards. Negative deviations from social norms characterized as destructive, leading to devastating consequences.

Sociology defines deviant behavior as antisocial, representing a social and physical danger to an individual in a certain social environment to which he belongs. Psychiatry calls deviation actions, single actions and statements that contradict norms and are produced by a person. within the framework of psychopathology. Psychology understands deviant behavior as deviations from moral, ethical and moral norms and social norms, as well as causing harm to oneself or others.

Causes

About 40% of people who show signs of deviant behavior are violators of public order and commit illegal acts causing significant harm to others. Half of these people have psychopathic deviations.

Children of younger and adolescence demonstrate delinquent behavior due to a lack of attention from adults or, conversely, tend to avoid overprotection, to escape from supervision. This explains the running away from home. Also deviant behavior of teenagers can be caused by misunderstanding and disagreements in contacts with peers, ridicule on their part. In some cases, children simply experience incomprehensible boredom, they are driven by a desire to change the situation.

The causes of deviant behavior in children and adolescents are:

  • life in an incomplete family;
  • flaws in education;
  • pathological changes in character;
  • excessively expressed certain traits of character.

All these reasons can also lead to the development of early alcoholism and drug addiction. Psychology believes that the reasons why children and adolescents try alcohol and drugs are curiosity, the desire to get comfortable in the team, and the desire to change consciousness.

Forms and types of deviant behavior

Deviant behavior is relative, not absolute, as it is verified exclusively by the norms of a certain social group. For example, a bare-breasted woman who appears on the Russian streets will be absolutely sent either to a police stronghold or straight to a specialized institution in a supervised chamber. Whereas in remote areas of Africa, no one will be surprised. In a broader sense, we can talk about the following deviant deviations: alcoholism, addiction to drugs, prostitution, criminal behavior, suicide.

The following types of deviation can be distinguished:

  • delinquent;
  • addiction;
  • specific character;
  • psychopathology.

Delinquency- these are extreme forms of behavioral deviations, characterized by the commission of criminally punishable acts. The reason for this is psychological immaturity. Unlike criminal inclinations, the actions of a delinquent teenager are dictated by the desire to misbehave against the background of incorrect upbringing, disobedience and denial of authority.

Addictive type behavior is a form of destruction. Such people are looking for a way out of the realities of their own lives by artificially changing their consciousness or focusing on some activity. Such manifestations are characteristic of people with low self-esteem, painfully dependent on something. They are characterized by a tendency to blame others, a constant, often unnecessary, lie.

Deviations in character are most often formed wrong upbringing, excessive indulgence to children's whims. These people are prone to dominance, do not tolerate objections, are stubborn and touchy, they have the psychology of a child, infantilism.

The psychopathological type goes beyond the norm and must be corrected by medical specialists. One of the subspecies of this type is a tendency to self-destruction: taking drugs and alcohol, suicidal tendencies.

Forms of deviant behavior of adolescents

One of the deviations is hyperkinetic conduct disorder. In the absence of diagnosed mental pathologies, this is a variant of the norm. The causes of deviant behavior are certain character traits. Hyperkinetic disorders are manifested as inattention, lack of concentration, increased activity, excessive excitability. Such children cannot concentrate and complete the work they have begun. They are characterized by inadequate negative self-esteem, as well as the inability to keep a distance from older people.

Some cases of manifestations of deviant behavior are limited to the family circle. In these cases, one cannot speak of psychopathic deviations in any way, since the teenager treats only relatives. Deviations are theft, cruelty towards domestic, aggressive behavior.

The following characteristics of deviant behavior are socialized and unsocialized disorders. In the first case, adolescents demonstrate rejection and aggression towards elders, but show sociability in a peer group, are in a group. The group may consist of both antisocial personalities and children who do not show signs of deviation. Such adolescents tend to have behavioral and psychoemotional disorders against the background of depressive states. Violations are manifested as strong unmotivated anxiety, fear for one's life and health, loss of interest in life, obsessive fears, doom.

Unsocialized behavioral disorders also manifest aggression and antisocial actions. However, such children are not members of groups and, as a rule, feel lonely and misunderstood, or deliberately destroy existing ties, do not want to maintain relationships. Such children demonstrate cruelty, do not recognize authorities, do not agree with their elders. In relation to peers, a teenager shows pugnacity, unmotivated aggression and anger, does not listen to anyone. May show a tendency to destruction, destruction, physical violence.

One of the forms of adolescent deviation is delinquent behavior. It is characterized by acts against the rules, but not limited by law. This can be bullying of the younger, vandalism, petty theft and theft, extortion, petty hooliganism.

Separately, it must be said about deviations in the sexual sphere of a teenager. During puberty, there are already sexual desires, and no one has explained what to do to a teenager. Then there are deviations in intimate behavior. It can be expressed by an unhealthy interest in one's own and others' genitals, voyeurism, exhibitionism. Having matured, the teenager ceases to show signs of deviations in behavior.

In some cases, bad inclinations have time to develop into habits that remain in an adult or turn into a pathological form. Teenage same-sex relationships are considered one of the types of deviations in the sexual sphere. Often this behavior is dictated by the situation or conditions in which the teenager is.

Correction of signs of deviant behavior is the responsibility of psychologists, since pedagogical methods are not enough. The number of cases of deviation in adolescents is increasing, and this is a reason to think. Now in our society manifestations of deviant behavior are an acute social problem. Parents often do not devote enough time to raising children, and simply communicating with them. Teachers are increasingly treating teenagers and their problems formally.

To combat the rise in deviant behavior, prevention must be carried out in two directions. First, within the framework of general prevention, it is necessary to involve children in the social processes taking place in educational institutions, to form a sense of belonging to a team, responsibility. Secondly, prevention consists in identifying adolescents who need an individual approach, analyzing psychology and the causes of deviations, and conducting corrective work with such a child.

In 1897, the French sociologist Émile Durkheim published a work titled "Suicide" based on suicide statistics in several European countries. In this work, the scientist suggested that suicide is nothing more than a product of human interaction. One of the factors of suicidal risk Durkheim called "anomie" - the state of a person who has become a victim of the destruction of social norms. Around that time, the study of "deviant" behavior began as part of a separate section of sociology - deviantology.

What is deviant behavior?

Deviant behavior is considered not only in sociology, but in medicine, criminology and psychology. In sociology, it also has a second name - social deviation. The concept is inextricably linked with the definition of a social norm, which usually means the degree of what is acceptable in people's actions, which helps the social system to be in balance.

Deviant behavior is most often referred to as stable forms of deviation of an individual from traditional social norms, which poses a real danger both to the individual himself and to public well-being. Accordingly, a deviant is a carrier of deviation, a person who in a certain way violates generally accepted principles. Such phenomena are most often accompanied by social maladaptation of the individual.

Main features:

  • a person’s actions cause an unambiguously negative assessment from others;
  • harm to the individual and the people around him;
  • manifestations are persistent.

Forms and examples of deviations

There are many classifications of deviant behavior. One of the versions was proposed by the American sociologist Robert Merton. He distinguished 4 possible types of deviations:

  • innovation, when the deviant agrees with the goals of society, but denies the main ways to achieve them (for example, theft or the creation of "financial pyramids");
  • ritualism is the opposite phenomenon, which consists in exaggerating the way to achieve the goal and the lack of attention to the goal itself;
  • retreatism - the rejection of socially approved scenarios and ways to implement them (for example, addictive addictions or vagrancy);
  • rebellion - the denial of generally accepted goals and methods and an attempt to replace them with others (revolutionaries can be conditionally attributed to this group).

The Hungarian sociologist Ferenc Pataky attributed criminal activity, alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicide to the traditional types of deviations. He also singled out a special "pre-deviant syndrome", which is a complex of certain personality traits, the totality of which most often leads to stable forms of deviant behavior. Among them:

  • affective personality type;
  • increased level of aggression;
  • dysfunctional relationships in the family;
  • cases of antisocial acts at an early age;
  • negative attitude towards learning;
  • IQ is below average.

The above forms of deviations also include others as standard: kleptomania, sexual and nutritional disorders, terrorism, prostitution, homosexuality, etc.

It should be noted that some researchers identified not only destructive types of deviant behavior, but also socially neutral and even constructive forms. For example, Yu.A. Kleiberg classified begging as neutral, social creativity as positive. N.V. Maisak also classifies some forms of creativity as constructive deviations, and some forms of behavior as socially approved (mainly within a certain group of people). Genius, innovation, asceticism, heroic deeds, etc. can be attributed to positive deviations.

Causes and prevention

Initially, they tried to associate the deviations with a genetic predisposition, the characteristics of the physiology and psyche of the individual (for example, mental retardation). Later, although the physiological and psychological prerequisites were not completely rejected, scientists came to the conclusion that deviations are most correctly considered in connection with social phenomena. In particular, Durkheim, the founder of deviantology, believed that the main cause of deviations is social crises and the anomie that arises in connection with them, which prompts a person to either use illegal means to achieve goals, or choose "escape from reality", or raise a rebellion against the foundations of society.

Deviant behavior is often observed in adolescents, since this group is the most unstable. Adolescence is characterized by accentuation - a slight deviation from the norms associated with a certain personality trait, which, under unfavorable circumstances, can become the basis for deviant behavior. That is why the main preventive measures to prevent deviations are associated with the upbringing of children and adolescents, taking care of their material well-being and leisure.

A deviant is an individual who, by definition, exhibits traits of unacceptable behavior. Depending on the type and severity of the deviation, such a person may need the help of specialists: psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists-narcologists. In the case when a deviant becomes socially dangerous, he can be hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic for isolation from society.

Since there is a certain number of people prone to deviance, society, with the help of special structures (police, drug treatment and psychiatric care), regulates the activities of these population groups.

Etiology and types of deviations

Deviance is diagnosed in people of different age groups. However, it is much easier to notice such deviations in children and adolescents. The "difficult child" requires constant monitoring.

In the development of deviant behavior, a large number of types and differences, approaches to their study are distinguished. The reasons leading to the development of deviations are considered separately. Depending on the motives that "push" the formation of deviant traits, separate forms of correction of the activity of such individuals and their characteristics are distinguished:

An approach

Description

Social

Deviant behavior is considered as a set of actions and actions that are potentially dangerous for society.

Gender

Violations of gender roles and behavior, sexual deviations

Psychological

In this context, deviation is a personal conflict and degradation of the individual, frustration (desires do not correspond to the possibilities), rejection of the idea of ​​development and realization of the personality, the emergence of ideas of self-destruction.

Age

Behavior is based on the discrepancy between the actions of individuals and their real age. Deviations are manifested in appearance, hobbies

Psychiatric

In this context, deviant behavior is seen as a "precursor" of mental illness.

Professional

It is one of the most frequently encountered. It consists in refusing to identify with colleagues, classmates, etc. In other words, it is a protest against the unspoken rules and norms of corporate ethics, manifested as a behavioral deviation

ethnocultural

Behavior that does not fit into the framework of a single society, based on racial, national and other characteristics

Representatives of various subcultures

Deviant behavior, common among young people, often manifests itself in the form of belonging to various kinds of subcultures, hobbies for extreme sports, etc.

The following types of activities are considered deviant:

Form of deviation

Description

Delinquent

In this context, it is considered as a form of deviant behavior. Manifested in the form of acts of a criminal nature and minor offenses (hooliganism, fraud, prostitution)

Psychopathological

Tendency to self-destruction, the appearance of suicidal thoughts, etc.

Aggressive

It is expressed in a clash of interests, conflicts at school, family, among colleagues

Pathocharacterological

It is based on the formation of overvalued ideas, psychopathy, imaginary values. Sometimes it manifests itself quite aggressively and the individual can become socially dangerous

Addictive (dependent)

Deviations include addictions of various kinds: alcohol abuse, the use of drugs and psychoactive drugs, sectarianism, etc.

In psychology and sociology, child prodigies, teenagers with speech defects or other external “features” are considered deviant personalities.

The most common deviant behaviors

In adolescence, the following examples of deviance are most common:

  • dependence on alcohol;
  • tobacco smoking and the use of various drugs;
  • deviations associated with suicidal tendencies;
  • the desire to inflict self-harm;
  • sexual deviations;
  • leaving home (vagrancy);
  • theft;
  • the use of incorrect expressions in speech (mat);
  • pretentiousness in appearance and behavior, etc.

Unlike delinquent behavior, deviations are usually not associated with criminal and administrative offenses. Deviant does not include positive forms of behavior (heroism, altruism, etc.).

Causes

The main reasons provoking the development of deviations include the following:

Cause

Description

Social

It implies the presence of deformation of personal development. Deviation is determined by dysfunction of the volitional sphere, violations in the moral and spiritual spheres.

Often this reason arises due to incorrect upbringing, an unfavorable psycho-emotional climate in the family (single-parent family, deviations from relatives). Adolescents, copying the behavior of their relatives and friends, demonstrate similar behavior: they form a wrong idea about family values, about relationships with the opposite sex, etc.

Psychological

It comes from the previous cause and is closely related to the development of personality. Disturbances of perception, character

Biological

Diseases of an organic nature are able to determine the development of character, temperament, and characteristics of the nervous system. All this together affects the formation of deviant behavior.

signs

Signs of deviation depending on its form:

  1. 1. Delinquent behavior is characterized by a violation of established orders and norms in a legal context. Often manifested by petty offenses, which include hooliganism, theft from loved ones, outbreaks of aggression. Attempts to protest that arise in parallel with this often border on a decrease in social adaptation. Such teenagers lose interest in studies and hobbies. In young children, there is a painful dependence on their own mother. In this case, the mother is perceived by the child as a kind of ideal, even in the case of negative behavior.
  2. 2. Addictive is considered as a separate phenomenon, and in a complex, with the above form of deviant behavior. The addictive form of deviation is characterized by dependencies, both mental and physiological. Such individuals often do not tolerate loneliness, are susceptible to negative influence, are easily vulnerable and touchy.
  3. 3. The destructive form manifests itself in the form of aggression directed towards others and towards the individual himself. The phenomena of vandalism, violence, desire for self-harm, suicidal tendencies are not uncommon.

To date, excessive passion for tattoos, piercings and scarring is equated by experts with deviant behavior.

In addition to specific signs of deviations, the following are conditionally distinguished:

  • difficulties of adaptation in society, frequent occurrence of conflict situations, lack of constancy in communication, belonging to the so-called "bad companies";
  • problems with learning, impaired attention and concentration, absent-mindedness, inability to realize responsibility in the current situation;
  • infantilism, lack of control in the household plan;
  • pronounced fears and phobias, depression and predepression;
  • the presence of complexes and problems with self-esteem;
  • escapism, which manifests itself both in escaping from real life to the virtual world, and in leaving home, such children often provoke the emergence of conflict situations;
  • violations of physical and mental development, observed at an early age;
  • sleep and wake disturbances;
  • stubbornness, excessive aggressiveness;
  • atypical creativity, hobbies.

Speaking of deviations of various kinds, one should not forget about their positive influence, as in the case of gifted children and child prodigies. Due to psychological characteristics, such individuals are in dire need of social assistance from an early age. If a gifted teenager finds himself in an unfavorable environment, his energy is directed in a negative direction, contributing to the development of various asocial phenomena.

Deviant behavior in people of different age groups manifests itself variably: as a whole complex of signs, and as a single manifestation of antisocial behavior. For the purpose of prevention, if dangerous, deviant behavior is suspected, such persons should be taken under social control and be on it for further psychological correction. Such sanctions contribute to the elimination and prevention of deviations.

Deviance (deviation) is a deviation from generally accepted norms. When parents ask what is the deviant behavior of children, having seen this term, for example, in the characteristics of the child, this can be explained as follows. The behavior of a preschooler or teenager does not fit into the generally accepted framework, contradicts it, or even poses a threat to others.

The definition of the concept in each science is divided, so in sociology deviance is a threat to the environment of a person in physical and social terms, deviant behavior interferes with the development of both the child (teenager) and society as a whole. Doctors believe that the causes of deviant behavior in children lie in violations of their neuropsychic structures. And psychologists say that deviant forms of children's behavior develop as a result of an erroneous example in front of their eyes, how to properly resolve conflict situations, and also when the true reality is simply ignored.

The reasons for the deviant behavior of children are so diverse that it is difficult to single out one main and leading one. In most cases, the provoking factors are a whole range of problems, both of a biological nature, and of a physiological and mental plan. The specifics of the environment in which the child grows and develops also plays an important role in the possible manifestation of deviant forms of children's behavior.

Biomedical factors include congenital, lifelong and hereditary causes. Congenital factors are intrauterine trauma to the fetus during pregnancy, toxicosis in the mother, poisoning with chemicals, diseases of an infectious and somatic nature in a future woman in labor, as well as the use of alcohol, narcotic and tobacco products during the period of bearing a child. Such reasons negatively affect the maturation and development of the nervous system of the fetus, which can subsequently lead to the appearance of age-related crises and manifestations of deviant behavior.

Hereditary factors in the development of deviant behavior in children include genetic disorders, in particular, chromosome mutations and pathological metabolism, as a result of which pathologies of mental development, defects in the visual and auditory systems, as well as problems in the neuropsychic development of the child can develop. Hereditary causes directly affect the characteristics of the baby, his temperament, social adaptability, the ability to adapt to living conditions and contact with others.

Acquired causes are long-term diseases of neurological and somatic etiology, resulting in delays in emotional, mental, speech development, and the child's personality is formed with a pathological bias - he grows aggressive, unstable and socially unadapted.

Signs of deviant forms of behavior in preschool children arise for the following reasons:

As you can see, deviant children are the result not only of congenital and hereditary problems, but also of improper upbringing and a dysfunctional family environment.

Signs of deviation in children and adolescents

Children with deviant forms of behavior consider the achievement of material wealth at any cost as their goal in life, and the number of such children and adolescents is steadily growing. Education, work (both in physical and spiritual terms, on oneself) have lost their significance, in parallel, there is an increase in juvenile delinquency.

Young people are trying to assert themselves at any cost, to attract the attention of their peers, to be known as brave, often choosing the wrong ways to do this. Deviant behavior may even include suicide attempts, which is explained by developmental disabilities. Often this behavior occurs as a reaction to life circumstances.

If a child of preschool age is not physically developed, has a lot of weight or, on the contrary, is too thin, this becomes a reason for ridicule from a very early age. The already unstable psyche of the baby is under stress, the child is trying with all his might to join the team of peers, committing risky and unjustified actions on a dare, or showing aggression towards others. These children often run away from home and skip school.

Deviations in adolescents are manifested by unstable mood, pronounced stubbornness and aggression. At the age of 11-15, teenagers are determined by their interests, sexual orientation, worldview. Often during these periods, manifestations of deviant behavioral forms begin, which are divided into types:

A separate form of manifestation of deviation can be called behavior based on increased sexual desire. Intimate disorders and subsequent deviations arise as a result of delayed or accelerated puberty and are manifested by exhibitionism, teenage homosexuality and manipulation of other people's genitals (animals, young children).

Correction of violations

Work with preschool children with deviant forms of behavior is aimed at eliminating existing stereotypes and rebuilding relationships with peers. There are the following ways to do this:

Psychological and pedagogical support for children of preschool and primary school age, with deviant forms of behavior, should be carried out regularly and continuously. The best forms for corrective work are games (communicative and mobile), playing difficult situations, playing music, dancing, reading, rhythmic exercises with words.

Preschool children react positively to fairy tales, they identify themselves with the main character, forming concepts of good and evil, assimilating moral norms, rules and values. In addition to playing activities, the baby needs a solid daily routine - control over TV viewing and rational nutrition.

Socio-pedagogical activities with children with deviant behavioral disorders should complement psychological support. Group sessions are needed in a group or school class to develop trust between children, to eliminate ridicule and neglect, to unite students in one social group, without dividing into leaders and outcasts.

Features of working with children with deviant behavioral deviations (aged 11-15 years) consist in the development of a special program. It should include the following items:

  • educational and preventive programs aimed at the process of socialization of adolescents and at work with deviations that have appeared;
  • organization of leisure;
  • individual lessons to eliminate negative and antisocial attitudes;
  • attraction to a healthy lifestyle;
  • increase in the number of children's clubs;
  • emergency psychological assistance services for young people in difficult life situations.

In order to recognize and correct deviant disorders in the child's behavior in time, parents must know the characteristics of his character, devote sufficient time to communication, and develop relationships based on trust. Knowing the type of character and temperament of the child, choosing options for resolving the conflict and avoiding negative socio-psychological influences, it is possible to prevent deviations in behavior and the development of deviations in time.

The concept of deviant behavior is considered at the intersection of sciences. Deviatio is Latin for "deviation". Thus, through this concept, deviant behavior is characterized, as a result or in the process of which the norms of culture and society are violated.

At first glance, the question “Is deviant behavior good or bad?” has an unequivocal answer: evil. But are geniuses, creators, religious figures the norm? No, and their behavior can also often be described as deviant, which is usually revealed when studying them, in surveys. Ya. I. Gilinsky, who made a significant contribution to the study of deviance, supports the point of view that there is also a positive value of deviant behavior for society - an increase in the level of organization of the system, the elimination of outdated standards.

In order not to get lost in terms, we use a more or less acceptable definition that limits the concept so much that it prevents its expansion to all deviations from the norm, but does not narrow it down to pathologies. Deviant behavior is the behavior of an individual or group that deviates from the norms of society, which can interfere with satisfaction from life or cause difficulties in performing the necessary tasks for the person or other people, therefore, it is condemned or even persecuted in order to change or eradicate.

Social factors

Theories of deviant behavior try to clarify what kind of behavior can be called deviant and why people take part in it. The sociological approach considers the influence of society on the dynamics of deviant behavior. The most famous sociological theories:

1. Structural theory of deformation

The reason for deviant behavior is the tension between cultural goals and the lack of means that are available to achieve these goals.

2. Theory of labels, stigmas

Deviant behavior is a product of social control, since deviation is not in the action itself, but only in the reaction to it.

Labeling "deviant" leads to further repetition and distribution as a response to the reaction of society, that is, a person begins to define himself as a deviant and act within the boundaries of this role. E. Lemert introduced the term "secondary deviance", which reflects this process.

In order to avoid the problem of secondary deviance, A. Shur proposed to decriminalize "crimes without victims". Another way to prevent the negative impact of stigmatization was often considered by sociologists is not to publicize the cases of minors before the verdict, to introduce more lenient punishments for them. The deviant behavior of adolescents should not cross out their entire subsequent life, given that they are generally more inclined to deviate from the norm in behavior.

3. Differentiated Association

The main idea is that learning to deviant behavior occurs in groups in which a person spends time. If a person associates himself with a person or group that is guided by principles and methods that deny social norms, he himself begins to deny them. Such reasons often form the deviant behavior of adolescents, since the value of the opinion of the group is high for them.

Individual factors, development

In psychology, too, they are trying to answer what are the causes of deviant behavior. A whole area has emerged - the psychology of deviant behavior, which studies mental states, human reactions that deviate from the norms of society, as well as patterns of development that lead to them, and ways to improve the quality of life of a deviant.

The psychology of deviant behavior includes both the achievements of clinical psychology and the views, practices and methods of psychiatry. This is explained by the fact that the deviation can be the result of both a conflict that has arisen in a person inside or outside, and serious mental disorders.

The following psychological theories will help to discern the factors that led to the formation of deviation. The fundamental provisions of each of them: the individual bears full responsibility for his actions, crimes and deviations are the result of dysfunction of mental processes.

1. Psychoanalytic theory

Sigmund Freud believed that all people have aggressive impulses that are suppressed by culture in the process of socialization. Problems in the course of socialization lead to the fact that a person directs his or her inward or outward.

2. Cognitive theory of development

It is based on the fact that in the process of development a person goes through three stages of the formation of moral norms. A detailed study of the stages was carried out by Kohlberg.

The first level is the fear of punishment and the desire to avoid it, as well as the expectation of benefits from the implementation of norms. The second is the desire to correspond to the close environment, maintaining the established order. The second stage is related to the fact that a person wants recognition, power and order.

And the third stage, corresponding to moral maturity, is the formation of one's own moral principles. In actions, people at this stage are guided not by the principles of punishment, encouragement, power, recognition, but by the inherent correctness of a single act.

Getting stuck at any stage can lead to deviations. An interesting consequence of the theory is that in the third stage, a person may well behave like a deviant, protesting against those norms and rules that are not fair.

3. Learning theory

Adoption of interaction patterns. In a social situation, it is often observed how deviant behavior is accepted by the group and even glorified. Desiring to receive a reward, praise, fame, a person begins to copy a certain course of action.

In addition to rewards, there is also the lack of punishment factor. When the one who is being watched does what he wants and gets what he wants, rejecting the norms, but not incurring any punishment for it, others follow him.

According to this theory, correction is achieved through the elimination of rewards, the annulment of rewards. A person does not find reinforcement and soon leaves the path of violating social norms.

Structure and forms

The deviant behavior of a person is far from the norm and the idea of ​​harmonious development (adaptability, self-control, learning ability are poorly developed). Since there are many features of contact between the individual and the environment, researchers have identified classifications, types and types of deviant behavior.

A general classification of deviant behavior is given by E. V. Zmanovskaya, who distinguishes several groups. In her opinion, deviant behavior can be:

  • Antisocial. This type is characterized by a contradiction to legal norms, human actions violate public order.
  • Asocial. A person does not take into account moral standards, which harms his ties with other people.
  • Intent on destroying yourself. People with this form of impairment tend to behave in ways that harm their own health.

At the same time, deviant behavior can be divided into types depending on how exactly the deviation is expressed. The main types of deviant behavior contain the following deviations:

  • Disciplinary.
  • Criminal or illegal.
  • Actions due to mental illness.

Forms of manifestation of deviant behavior can be both stable and unstable, permanent or temporary, structured (described by roles in the group) and not, spontaneous or planned, selfish or altruistic, violating the boundaries of the personal space of other people or leading to self-destruction of the deviant's personality.

Most often observed, of course, egoistic deviations. A short period of deviations from the norms is typical for periods when a person is in groups that consider this behavior to be correct. The focus on satisfying one's desires, obtaining some kind of benefit, power, fame or recognition by others are the main motives for deviant behavior. Specific clinical forms:

  • Aggression outward or inward.
  • Drug addiction.
  • Eating Disorders.
  • Deviant sexual behavior.
  • Overpriced hobbies.
  • Communicative deviations.
  • Immorality, immorality.
  • Unaesthetic behaviour.

Fighting, leaving or ignoring

By the way an individual interacts with the environment, one can determine the main way of interaction with reality in a deviant. In connection with the certain nature of the conflict with the environment, the existence of a form of deviation is explained, which organically reflects the conflict. V. D. Mendelevich identifies four such methods:

  • Counteraction.
  • Painful confrontation.
  • Care.
  • Ignoring.

On their basis, several specific types of deviations are considered. On the question of the relationship of some of them to deviance, discussions are still open.

1. Delinquent

Deviant and delinquent behavior are sometimes confused, although the latter is more likely to be illegal actions, and the former does not fall there, but they both refer to deviations from the norms. At the same time, the delinquent is not the same as the criminal. The so-called unconscious nature of the consequences is inherent in the delinquent, which is why delinquents commit offenses.

Illegal acts are committed by them spontaneously. This happens to frivolous people prone to. Often there is no malicious intent, teenagers have fun and indulge, which in the end leads to sad consequences. The term can rightly be used in cases where there is a criminal act, and his intentions were innocent (by definition, E. Anchel).

2. Addictive

The addictive type is characterized by avoiding reality by using substances or activities in order to maintain intense emotions. These people perceive life as “gray and boring”, it is difficult for them to carry out methodical everyday work, they cannot bear routine duties, although, on the other hand, they show excellent results in crisis situations.

A characteristic feature is low self-esteem, offset by outward emphasizing of superiority. They tend to lie and blame others, they easily make contacts, but they are afraid to build something strong out of them and take responsibility, they are stereotyped, dependent and anxious.

3. Pathocharacterological

Features of deviant behavior of the pathocharacterological type are due to pathological changes in character: personality disorders, obvious character. In choosing people of this type, they are often guided not by realistic motives, but by aspirations exaggerated by pathology: a thirst for recognition, power, domination. There is a constant reassessment of opportunities, there is a great passion for manipulation, the perception of people around them, like pawns on the board.

4. Psychopathological

In this type of behavioral problems are due to the symptoms of psychopathology. They include hallucinations, illusions, disorders of thinking and will, etc.

5. Based on hyperpowers

The characterization of deviant behavior based on hyperabilities is complicated by the fact that this type usually occurs in gifted people, and their deviations from the norm depend on those abilities that have developed strongly. A person may be unable to properly understand others, cope with daily activities, etc.

Signs and treatment

The tendency to deviant behavior is formed both by the conditions in the family and by individual characteristics. Children under 5 years of age are not diagnosed with deviant behavior. The essential signs of deviant behavior that Wikipedia cites, which do not contradict the position of V. D. Mendelevich, are as follows:

  • Deviation from moral/cultural norms.
  • Society condemnation.
  • Harm to yourself or others.
  • Not represented by a single episode (periodically, serially or constantly).
  • The development of social maladaptation.

Apart from all this is the deviant behavior of young people. In fact, it is due to changes in the brain that occur during adolescence. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for self-control, logical reasoning, choosing the most rational course of action, develops more slowly than those parts of the brain in which fear and excitement are concentrated. Therefore, adolescents are often characterized by increased anxiety and a tendency to take risks.

Successful correction of deviant behavior of adolescents is achieved through the method of cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps to develop adequate responses to environmental stimuli through relearning (there is a stimulus, there is no negative reaction - the brain eventually remembers and builds a new reaction model), in combination with mild medical intervention (sedatives, antidepressants). Other methods -, - will allow you to work out problems more deeply: conflicts in the family, trauma, signs of social phobia, etc.

Prevention of deviant behavior of adolescents in connection with the data obtained should be focused on advice and discussion. A parent, psychologist or significant adult takes over the function of the prefrontal cortex and helps to distinguish right from wrong, without ever allowing pressure. Diagnosis of deviant behavior of adolescents should take into account manifestations of delinquent, aggressive, suicidal and dependent behavior.

Deviant behavior in children can be explained either by early puberty, or problems in the family, school or health. The child, like a barometer, reacts to any changes in the groups that are significant to him.

Correction of deviant behavior can be concentrated both on the process of psychotherapy to harmonize the internal state of the individual, and on taking medications if the source is rooted in psychopathologies. Most problems in a person's life are either solved quickly, or can be significantly simplified, or require the supervision of specialists to improve the quality of life. The main thing is not to be afraid to ask for help, since deviant behavior can lead not only to the complication of relationships with loved ones, but also to the destruction of the individual. Author: Ekaterina Volkova