It is worth touching on both micro and macro forms of social deviance. For both, the equation is universally applicable: Deviant act = social shunning (+ prosecution). The consequences are either shunning, which can be detrimental, or legal prosecution, which is more severe. Here are some ideas I have pondered on two levels of deviancy:
Macrodeviance refers to defying a societal or communal norm (macronorm). Examples include disengaging from contemporary employment, withdrawing from majority political opinion, rejecting expected gender norms, or exhibiting overarching eccentric behaviour. Essentially, it involves choosing not to conform to societal expectations.
Microdeviance involves defying a norm (micronorm) within the particular deviant’s social group or network. Examples include liking a particular genre of music that the rest of the ingroup dislikes or befriending someone from an outgroup who does not represent the norms of the ingroup. This essentially means choosing to differentiate from one’s more local group, although it is much easier to hop on the bandwagon at the local level of deviancy. Social deviance, at both macro and micro levels, represents a complex interaction between personal decisions and societal standards. It is a fluid process that mirrors the conflict between individualism and compliance, ultimately influencing the development of societal norms and cultural expectations. Social deviance should be welcomed, not feared.
