What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Deviance

The main difference between primary and secondary deviance is that primary deviance refers to the violation of a norm that does not result in the violator’s being stigmatized as deviant, but secondary deviance refers to a deviant behaviour that results from a stigmatized sense of self that aligns with society’s concept of a deviant.

Deviance is a violation of social conventions and rules. It refers to behaviour that is not in conformity with the socially acceptable code of conduct. The sociologist Edwin Lemert introduced the concepts of primary and secondary deviance.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Primary Deviance
     – Definition, Characteristics, Examples
2. What is Secondary Deviance
     – Definition, Characteristics, Examples
3. What is the Relationship Between Primary and Secondary Deviance
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Deviance
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Deviance, Primary Deviance, Secondary Deviance

What is Primary Deviance

Primary deviance basically refers to the initial act of deviance. In other words, this is the first stage of deviant behaviour. At this stage, the deviance goes relatively unnoticed, and there is a little social reaction or mild corrective actions. This is very common in society, and most of us may have taken part in this stage. For example, teenagers smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol with their friends is primary deviance. Although teenagers’ use of substance goes against social norms, it mostly goes unpunished.

At this stage, a person who commits an act of deviance does not receive the label ‘deviant’ from society, so this does not result in a person internalizing a deviant identity. Furthermore, the influence of parents and peers is a major factor in primary deviance.

Example Situation

Jake is a little boy who goes to the store with his mother. He sees a candy bar he likes and takes it without paying for it or informing his mother. When the mother sees him with the candy bar, she realizes that he has stolen it from the store, and takes corrective actions. For instance, she may take him back to the store and make him confess, or she may punish him appropriately. Jake doesn’t steal again.

The above is an example of primary deviance. We call it primary deviance because it was Jake’s first act of deviance. In addition, he doesn’t repeat this behaviour, so it is of little consequence.

What is Secondary Deviance

Secondary deviance refers to deviant behaviour that is a result of being publicly labelled as deviant and treated as an outsider. Secondary deviance is actually a result of other people’s negative reactions to the original primary deviance. For example, imagine a young child who gets caught stealing a candy bar. If others around him call him names, and exclude him from social activities, labelling him as a thief, the child would eventually consider himself a thief and act accordingly. If corrective measures were taken in the primary deviance itself, and if there were no labelling and isolating, the child’s initial act of stealing would only be primary deviance.

Furthermore, secondary deviance is usually more likely to be considered criminal in the social context. For example, an individual engaged in primary deviant behaviours like dishonesty or drug addiction may eventually move to legally criminal deviant behaviour such as murder and robbery.

Relationship Between Primary and Secondary Deviance

• The sociologist Edwin Lemert introduced the concepts of primary and secondary deviance.
• Secondary deviance may be a result of the reactions that follow the primary deviance.

Difference Between Primary and Secondary Deviance

Definition

Primary deviance refers to the violation of a norm or rule that does not result in the violator’s being stigmatized as deviant, but secondary deviance refers to a deviant behaviour that is a result of being publicly labelled as deviant and treated as an outsider.

Cause

Moreover, factors like ignorance, the influence of peers or parents, etc. may result in primary deviance, while negative social reactions result in secondary deviance.

Reaction for Deviance

In primary deviance, there is little social reaction, but, in secondary deviance, the society shuns the deviant.

Nature of Deviance

Primary deviance usually involves a relatively small rule-breaking. In fact, most people engage in acts of primary deviance. In contrast, secondary deviance usually involves crimes.

Conclusion

The sociologist Edwin Lemert introduced the concepts of primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance refers to the violation of a norm that does not result in the violator’s being stigmatized as deviant, but secondary deviance refers to a deviant behaviour that results from a stigmatized sense of self that aligns with society’s concept of a deviant. Thus, this is the main difference between primary and secondary deviance.

Reference:

1. “Primary Deviance.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Dec. 2019, Available here.
2. Williams, Yolanda. “Secondary Deviance: Definition & Examples.” Study.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “1876037” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Frustrated Sad Voltage Free Photo” (CC0) via Needpix