In sociology, the concept of __________ refers to behaviors that deviate from societal norms, encompassing a wide range of actions from criminal acts to alternative lifestyles.

In sociology, the concept of deviance refers to behaviors that go against the accepted norms or rules of society. This can include a wide variety of actions, such as committing a crime like theft, or choosing to live in a way that is different from what most people consider normal, like being part of a subculture. The key idea is that deviance challenges the expectations that a society has for how people should behave. For example, if someone decides to dress in a very unusual way that others find strange, they might be seen as deviant, even if they are not breaking any laws. Understanding deviance helps us learn about the rules of society and how they can vary from one culture to another.