As we have learned back in unit one, deviant behavior and/or deviant acts are anything that goes against one’s social norms (“Deviant Behavior,” 1968). Criminal behavior on the other hand is behaviors or acts that are unlawful (“Criminal Behavior,” n.d.). Criminal acts occur when one has a motive, mean, and opportunity to follow through on the illegal act (Hegger, 2015). “The biggest difference between deviant behavior and a crime is that a crime is against the law, while deviance is only against social norms” (“The Difference,” 2010). According to Sociology.org.uk (2010), “all crime is, by definition, deviant behavior, but not all forms of deviance are criminal”.
Since criminal behavior is against the law, there are several deviant acts/behaviors
Since criminal behavior is against the law, there are several deviant acts/behaviors