Some Functions of Deviant Behavior and Normative Flexibility

This paper examines a series of instances which call attention to the positive functions of deviance for social structures. Among the latent functional contributions are the role of the deviant in arousing the community to the consequences of the breach of its norms, and the fact that deviance may be considered the very "ground" of normalcy. Various structural and situational circumstances which lead the group to tolerate or even to foster deviance are considered. Criminal deviance is distinguished from nonconformist innovating behavior; and various types of innovating departures from normalcy are considered from the dual viewpoint of structurally induced motivation and of impact on group structure.