The Positivist/Normative Conception of deviance posits that deviant behaviors are:

The Positivist/Normative Conception of deviance posits that deviant behaviors are:

• A. Inherently deviant regardless of societal views
• B. Only deviant if society labels them as such
• C. Always considered moral failures
• D. Determined by psychological conditions

Answer: (B)

The Positivist/Normative Conception of deviance emphasizes that deviant behaviors are labeled as such by society, indicating a reliance on social context and the collective values and norms that define what is considered deviant at any given time. This perspective underscores that it's not the behavior itself that is inherently deviant but rather the societal reaction and the labeling process that defines certain actions as deviant. In this framework, behaviors that might be seen as deviant in one culture or society could be perfectly acceptable in another, highlighting the subjective nature of deviance. The focus is on the process of labeling and the power structures that influence which behaviors are defined as deviant, rather than on intrinsic qualities of the behavior itself. Thus, the correct understanding aligns with the idea that societal acknowledgment or condemnation is crucial in determining deviance. This understanding contrasts with the other options, as they suggest innate qualities, moral failures, or psychological determinism rather than the contextual and socially constructed nature of deviance. The Positivist/Normative perspective places importance on societal standards and reactions in defining deviant behavior.

The Positivist/Normative Conception of deviance emphasizes that deviant behaviors are labeled as such by society, indicating a reliance on social context and the collective values and norms that define what is considered deviant at any given time. This perspective underscores that it's not the behavior itself that is inherently deviant but rather the societal reaction and the labeling process that defines certain actions as deviant.

In this framework, behaviors that might be seen as deviant in one culture or society could be perfectly acceptable in another, highlighting the subjective nature of deviance. The focus is on the process of labeling and the power structures that influence which behaviors are defined as deviant, rather than on intrinsic qualities of the behavior itself. Thus, the correct understanding aligns with the idea that societal acknowledgment or condemnation is crucial in determining deviance.

This understanding contrasts with the other options, as they suggest innate qualities, moral failures, or psychological determinism rather than the contextual and socially constructed nature of deviance. The Positivist/Normative perspective places importance on societal standards and reactions in defining deviant behavior.