<P> In sociology , deviance describes an action or behavior that violates social norms , including a formally enacted rule ( e.g. , crime ) , as well as informal violations of social norms ( e.g. , rejecting folkways and mores ) . Although deviance may have a negative connotation , the violation of social norms is not always a negative action ; positive deviation exists in some situations . This is where the norm is violated , yet the behavior can still be classified as positive or acceptable . It is the purview of criminologists , psychiatrists , psychologists , and sociologists to study how these norms are created , how they change over time , and how they are enforced . </P>
when is deviant behavior deviant according to most sociologists
an action or behavior that violates social norms