social deviant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social deviant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in discussions about sociology, psychology, or criminology to describe an individual whose behavior differs significantly from societal norms. Example: "The study focused on the impact of labeling theory on social deviants and their reintegration into society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If a man had broken the steroid story, would he have been demonized as a social deviant when all he was doing was due diligence?

The New York Times - Sports

If you had to pick a jazz musician – or any other kind of social deviant – out of an identification parade, you almost certainly wouldn't go for the boyish and sprucely groomed Gwilym Simcock.

The Guardian - Music

With force you can create a social deviant, but not steer somebody toward religion.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After the Stonewall uprising 40 years ago, the goal was to persuade society to stop treating gays and lesbians like social deviants.

The New York Times

The MPs, attending a party conference chaired by Museveni, "welcomed the development as a measure to protect Ugandans from social deviants", Opondo added.

The Guardian

At the time this was seen a politically provocative solution by those who dismissed all drug users, especially heroin addicts as social deviants who deserved punishing not helping.

Independent

And British Leyland's later cars, the Allegro and Marina, could only be understood as sick jokes perpetrated on patriotic British motorists by social deviants whose corpses would be bulldozed into the foundations of Spaghetti Junction in any rational polity.

The Guardian - Arts

The right wanted to save money and lower taxes, while the left and liberals believed that mental patients had been unnecessarily incarcerated as social deviants whom the Victorians wanted to hide from the world.

Independent

I. A. Menkiti, for instance, explores how social deviants, or, psychopaths come to be (1977 1978).

SEP

In high uncertainty avoidance cultures, however, uniformity is emphasized and social deviants are perceived as different and with suspicion.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

So yeah, we're going to be talking about the "social deviants" of the body world, but this discussion is applicable to us all.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "social deviant", consider the potential for stigmatization and ensure your language is objective and avoids perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Provide context to explain why the behavior is considered deviant within a specific social framework.

Common error

Avoid using "social deviant" as a blanket term without acknowledging the complexities of social norms and the potential for those norms to be discriminatory. Consider that what is considered deviant can vary greatly across cultures and time periods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social deviant" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe an individual or group whose behavior deviates significantly from accepted social norms. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable and understandable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "social deviant" is a noun phrase used to describe individuals or behaviors that significantly diverge from accepted social norms. Ludwig confirms its usability in English. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to consider the potential for stigmatization when using this term. As shown by Ludwig examples, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Alternatives like "nonconformist individual" or "outlier in society" might be more appropriate depending on the context and desired tone. When writing about "social deviants", always provide context and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nonconformist individual

Focuses on the individual's choice to not conform, rather than a societal judgment.

unconventional person

Emphasizes the departure from conventional norms, without necessarily implying negativity.

outlier in society

Highlights the statistical rarity of the individual's behavior.

non-traditional person

Focuses on deviation from tradition, which might not be seen as negative.

countercultural figure

Refers to someone whose beliefs or behavior are opposed to the prevailing culture.

maverick

Implies independence and unconventionality, often with a positive connotation.

rebel

Implies active resistance against established authority or norms.

rule breaker

Focuses specifically on the violation of rules, which may or may not align with broader social norms.

rogue individual

Suggests independence and a disregard for established procedures or expectations.

dissenter

Highlights disagreement with established opinions or practices.

FAQs

How can I use "social deviant" in a sentence?

You can use "social deviant" to describe someone whose behavior significantly deviates from accepted social norms. For example: "The study examined the factors contributing to the labeling of individuals as "social deviant"."

What are some alternative phrases for "social deviant"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "nonconformist individual", "outlier in society", or "unconventional person".

Is the term "social deviant" inherently negative?

While the term "social deviant" can carry negative connotations, it is primarily a descriptive term in sociology. The negativity depends on the specific social norms being violated and the context in which the term is used. In some cases, deviating from harmful norms can be seen as positive.

What's the difference between "social deviant" and "criminal"?

"Social deviant" refers to someone who violates social norms, which may or may not be codified into laws. A "criminal", on the other hand, is someone who violates laws. While some behaviors may be both socially deviant and criminal, the two categories are not synonymous.