Societal Reaction theory, often associated with labeling theory, posits that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act itself. Instead, deviance is created when society labels a specific behavior or individual as 'deviant.' The act becomes deviant only through the social process of identification and categorization by others.

Labeling theory, a subset of the interactionist perspective, argues that social behavior is not inherently deviant or pathological. Instead, it becomes defined as such through the process of social labeling. In the context of health, this theory suggests that whether a condition is perceived as an illness depends on how society labels that behavior or physical state, rather than just biological symptoms.

Howard Becker, a key figure in labeling theory, argued that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act itself. Instead, he posited that deviance is created by society when groups establish rules and apply them to particular people, labeling them as outsiders. Thus, deviance is defined by the social reaction and the act of labeling rather than the act itself.

Sociologists argue that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act, but rather a social construct. Whether a behavior is considered deviant depends entirely on the social context, cultural norms, and the reactions of others. Therefore, deviance is a property conferred upon behaviors by social definitions and societal reactions. This perspective emphasizes that what is labeled as deviant can change across different cultures, time periods, and social situations.

William Chambliss's 1973 study, 'The Saints and the Roughnecks,' is a classic piece of sociological research. He observed two groups of boys from the same high school and found that despite similar levels of delinquency, the 'Saints' (from middle-class families) were viewed as 'good kids' while the 'Roughnecks' (from lower-class families) were labeled as deviant. This highlighted how social class influences societal perception and labeling.

Sociological theories of deviance, particularly labeling theory, argue that deviance is not an inherent quality of an act itself. Instead, it is a social construct. Behaviors are defined as deviant only when society labels them as such through social norms and reactions. Therefore, deviance is a property conferred upon actions by the social groups that observe and judge them.

Edwin Lemert distinguished between primary deviance, which is the initial act of rule-breaking that may not affect self-identity, and secondary deviance, which occurs when an individual internalizes the deviant label applied by society. Both are crucial to understanding how identity is constructed through social interaction and the reaction of others to an individual's behavior.

Labeling theory gained significant academic and public prominence during the 1960s. Scholars like Howard Becker and Edwin Lemert developed this perspective, focusing on how the self-identity and behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. This era saw a shift toward understanding deviance as a social process rather than an inherent quality of the individual.

Normalization of deviance occurs when a society or group excuses a specific act of rule-breaking by framing it as an isolated incident or a minor lapse in judgment rather than a reflection of the individual's true character. By treating the behavior as a temporary aberration, the group avoids labeling the individual as permanently deviant, thereby maintaining the status quo and preventing the social consequences of formal labeling.

In sociology, deviance is defined as any behavior, belief, or condition that violates significant social norms in a given society or group. It is important to note that deviance is relative; what is considered deviant in one context may be perfectly acceptable in another. It encompasses a wide range of actions that deviate from the expected standards of behavior, regardless of whether those actions are legally defined as crimes or simply socially disapproved.