Can all deviant behavior be considered negative?

Question

If not negative, please give an example

Answer 1

There is a different between "deviant behaviour" and behaviour that "deviates from the norm."

1. Behaviour that deviates from the norm means something that is different from normal behaviour. It does not imply direction. That is, deviant is not inherently positive or negative.

People may get confused with the statistical term of "deviating from the norm" as something negative since it involves the word, "deviate," which sounds similar to deviant.

Think of behaviour that deviates from the norm this way:
Visit the link to see the picture:
http://www.tushar-mehta.com/excel/charts/normal_distribution/images/normal2.gif

On the left extreme, you have behaviour that occurs rarely, same with the right extreme. Both extremes deviate from the norm (or the centre of the graph). The centre of the graph is the whole collection of normal behaviour that is very common in society.

You can categorize virtually every behaviour this way. At one extreme (or extreme deviation) you can have someone who has a very low IQ (50). In the middle, you can have people (the majority) who have average IQs at 100. At right extreme you can someone who is a genious who has an IQ of 150. So the IQ of 50 deviates from the norm (100) as much as 150 deviates from the norm (of 100).

In this example you have two behaviours that deviate from the norm, but one can be considered as something good to have and the other as not.

Another example:
There have been cases of people with Autism (a psychological disorder that deviates from the norm) with very special and unusual talents. Some have the disorder but are musical prodigies or excell in math, science, literature, etc.

So these people deviate from the norm, but may have positive qualities like the talents they possess. Not all autistic people have these talents, but occasionally they are found to have them.
http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts+for+Families&name=The+Child+With+Autism

2. Deviant behaviour is something that violates cultural norms:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2003-40,GGLD:en&q=define%3adeviant

So "deviant behaviour" will almost always be negative since it implies something cultural, not statistical.

Summary:
Here, you're just dealing with semantics. It depends on who you phrase the statement. It depends if you are going to utilise statistical principles or imply something culturall based. So that's why I have split up the parts into (1.) and (2.)

Answer 2

Deviant could have many meanings:
1. Creative.
2. Rebelion.
3. Objection.
4. Adventerous.
5. Retarded.
6. Genius.
7. Crazy.

Generally judging, I believe deviant is positive because most people are not deviant and this is how life is without deviants.

Conforming sheeps = Lots of wars.

Answer 3

I guess that depends on your definition of deviant and the passage of time.

What Rosa Parks did was deviant and was considered negative at the time, but I dont think anyone would say it is the case now.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. Deviance simply refers to non-compliance with a norm. For example, If all your friends have red hair, and you have blond hair, you are a deviant in your circle of friend. Similarly, if the norm in society is to own a car, then all those who do not are deviants.

Answer 5

Only to those who don't understand. ;))

Deviant behavior is markedly different from an accepted norm. When you step outside the boundaries of what's considered acceptable by the status quo, then it deviates from what's considered "normal".

However, "normal" is relative, not absolute. What's considered "normal" by some, may not be to others.

Answer 6

All deviant behavior is negative.

Answer 7

I think it was Thoreau who said that disobedience is the first foundation of liberty - the obedient must be slaves.
And I don't know who said it is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.

It depends from whom or what you're deviating from, and why.

Answer 8

It depends, I mean, if a girl likes butt-sex then....sure its positive.

Answer 9

that depends on how kinky she is!