Abnormal behavior causes a lot of trouble to society and specific families. Deviant behavior is the person’s inability to stay within the social framework, to comply with the rules established in the group. Researchers at different times wondered what makes a person behave badly. The reasons for deviant behavior, even in our time, are not completely clear. To date, 5 serious theories have been developed to explain deviant behavior. Let's consider them in more detail.
1. Theory of control
This theory explains why most people still avoid deviant behavior. It is connections in society, involvement, that have a controlling effect on a person, therefore those who want to be part of society try to respect written and unwritten laws. Usually the deviant behavior of children is due to the fact that they do not have friends who respect social norms. And parents are not an authority, and they cannot exercise control over the correctness of actions. If a person feels that he has made efforts to become a member of the group, then there is a high probability that he will try to meet the expectations of significant people. Thus, the group controls the behavior of the individual.
2. The theory of differentiated association
Association in this phrase means social connections. If to explain in simple terms, this theory suggests that a person, when making a decision to behave incorrectly, looks back at people who also behave incorrectly. This theory is especially loved by forensics. And we all know that children who are in a bad company risk behaving badly too. So involved in theft, drug addiction and even organized crime. The causes of deviant behavior, according to this theory, lie in the "evil merger." To prevent it, it is necessary to introduce the teenager to adults who can become authoritative for him. It can be a sports section coach or a professional bodybuilder. Teenagers trust these people more than their own parents.
3. Theory of Anomie
Do not be afraid of the second noun in the name of this theory. Anomie is a special state of personality, which is associated with the loss of value orientations. This theory could rightly be called the theory of conflicting values. This happened during the collapse of the USSR. Parents talked about the importance of education, and the children saw that former losers became masters of life. High moral values were promoted , and people who ignored even the most primitive social norms became successful. That is, this theory explains the reasons for deviant behavior by the fact that the person is confused and does not know how to act in an ambiguous environment.
4. Theory of shortcuts
It consists in the fact that a person who once made a mistake becomes allegedly marked for deviant behavior. The reasons for the “wrong” lifestyle is that society is not inclined to change its mind about a person. That is, a teenager who has a criminal record will consider himself a criminal for life. And people's attitude towards such unhappy people makes them fit into the stereotype, the label that was pasted on them because of the often random and unreasonable act. To solve this problem, efforts are needed to damage the state.
5. Theory of deviant subcultures
Some subcultures promote a lifestyle that is not too consistent with the norms of society. This theory echoes the theory of differentiated association. But, as a rule, this fifth is used only to explain the reasons for the deviant behavior of young people. Of course, one cannot say that the hippie culture alone made everyone take drugs, or that punk culture made people too aggressive. However, there were such tendencies, which made researchers separate this theory.
All theories explain only a certain fraction of reality. Therefore, none of them can be considered universal. Perhaps, over time, new, more accurate ones will appear.