Deviance Disavowal

Deviance Disavowal Definition

Deviance disavowal is the process by which individuals or groups actively reject the labels imposed upon them. This phenomenon operates on both an individual level, where people may engage in self-negating prophecies, and a group level, where socially deviant groups refuse the categorisations applied by ‘straight’ society in order to forge alternative identities.

Theoretical Context

As an extension of differential association theory, deviance disavowal explains how individuals who have been labelled as criminal or deviant often deny responsibility for their behaviour. The primary mechanism for this denial is frequently attributing blame to society rather than accepting personal accountability.

Historical Application

The concept was initially developed in reference to social deviants, such as the physically handicapped, who sought ways to minimise the stigma of deviance. Their aim was to structure their interactions with able-bodied people in a manner that would minimise the impact of their condition on relationships and help them appear normal. It is now applied more broadly within the labelling perspective to encompass all forms of deviant behaviour.

Significance

Deviance disavowal serves as an important qualification for the labelling perspective, asserting that not all individuals who are labelled as deviant accept that judgement. People distance themselves from these labels by arguing that they are inappropriate or do not reflect their true selves. This process can involve using external factors, such as alcohol or drugs, to suspend self-judgement; for example, claiming that a deviation is caused by an external substance rather than the actor’s inherent nature.