Durkheim on deviance

• Durkheim said deviance was "normal" to all healthy well-functioning societies.

• Functions of deviance:

  • affirms cultural values and norms
  • clarifies boundaries
  • promotes solidarity
  • encourages social change

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Durkheim did not mean "normal" in the sense of inline with or like the average. He meant that deviance and by extension crime exists in all societies. And that it has beneficial functions for societies. Please see the textbook’s discussion of Kai Erikson’s ideas about deviance as defined by the Puritans in his book Wayward Puritans. This illustrates how deviance sets moral boundaries. Class materials will deal with the function of deviance in encouraging positive social change.