Prevention of deviant behavior among teenagers

Deviant behavior is any behavior that deviates from social norms. The key point is that norms are set in relation to a particular society. Therefore, behavior that is normal for some people is considered undesirable in another culture.

There is no generally accepted classification of types of deviant behavior. Below are several different classifications depending on the characteristics taken as a basis.

According to the goals pursued by the individual, deviant behavior occurs:

• selfish orientation - the desire to obtain selfish material gain through dishonest actions or offenses (theft, deception, fraud, speculation);
• aggressive orientation – crimes against the person (rape, murder, beatings, insults);
• socially passive orientation - avoidance of fulfilling social normative responsibilities, avoidance of an active lifestyle and solving necessary problems (absenteeism from work and school, various types of addiction, vagrancy, suicidal thoughts).

In terms of results, deviations from the norm are:

• positive – the individual’s actions are aimed at overcoming outdated standards and contribute to changes in the social system for the better;
• negative – human actions are aimed at destroying the social system, leading it to dysfunction and disorganization.

Some experts divide deviant behavior into the following types:

• antisocial (delinquent) – a person’s actions contradict legal, moral, ethical and cultural norms;
• asocial - an individual commits actions that do not correspond to the social and legal norms of the society in which he lives, as well as customs and traditions;
• self-destructive - such behavior threatens the development and integrity of the personality itself.

Deviant behavior in childhood and adolescence may include a combination of several types or manifest itself in only one. Such changes can appear very early due to congenital causes, arise as a result of physical injuries that affect brain activity and neurological condition, or be formed during the process of upbringing or under the influence of unfavorable social and psychotraumatic factors.

The assessment of one's actions in children and adolescents can also be different. Some feel guilty, which causes their self-esteem to drop and neuroses to appear. Others consider their behavior normal and justify it, even if society considers it deviations from the norm.

Deviant behavior of children

Problems in upbringing, disobedience and aggressive aspects of behavior force parents to think about the mental state of the child at an early age.

The causes of deviant behavior in children are quite diverse:

• Biological – include intrauterine lesions (toxic effects, asphyxia, etc.), hereditary diseases that provoke delays in physical and mental development, and damage to the nervous system. This also includes somatic and mental disorders received by the child in the first years of life (traumatic brain injuries, frequent stress, etc.).
• Social – reflect different levels of ill-being of the surrounding people. This includes alcoholism of relatives (for example, a young family lives in the same apartment with a drinking grandfather), excessive conflict, and domestic violence. All this provokes the child to adjust his behavior in accordance with antisocial norms. An incomplete family can also influence deviant behavior, since the child has a deficit of role and behavioral reactions that should be borrowed from the corresponding family member.
• Pedagogical - this includes the abuse of prohibitions, lack of explanations for punishments, which in turn causes a protest reaction on the part of the child. Also, deviant behavior develops as a result of a standardized approach to treating children in preschool and school institutions, where individual characteristics are not taken into account.
• Psychological – features of upbringing in the family that adversely affected the emotional-volitional sphere of the child, for example, upbringing according to the “family idol” type, hyper- or hypoprotection, domestic violence, parental alcoholism. Psychological reasons also include a violation of attachment to adults.

If there are medical indications, then therapy should be carried out as early as possible. In the case of social and pedagogical reasons, it makes sense to think about changing the strategy of adult behavior.

In the same way, psychological reasons require immediate correction. If deviant behavior is ignored in childhood, then it is consolidated and becomes more stable, flowing into adolescence.

conclusions

Thus, deviant behavior is determined by social, biological and psychological factors that must be taken into account when raising young people.

Experts believe that deviant behavior cannot be eradicated from society, but at the same time they note that it arises in society against the backdrop of a crisis, when people are not satisfied with the quality of life and are not in demand. According to sociologists, about 85% of the population are demoralized, discouraged and confused. As a result, they become indifferent to the means of achieving goals, corruption, and extremism.

Since no state is interested in people, only a person himself can help himself and his children through self-development, self-tuning and self-extrication. Unfortunately, these are the realities of life: “The rescue of drowning people is the work of the drowning people themselves.”

Deviant behavior of adolescents

Deviant behavior in adolescence is more dangerous than in childhood. Firstly, because a teenager can commit more destructive actions. Secondly, because correcting such phenomena requires active action and a long time.

The causes of deviant behavior in adolescents can begin in early childhood, or may develop later under the influence of a peer group or due to a change in environment, maladjustment (for example, due to the breakdown of a family, the loss of a loved one, etc.).

The most common forms of deviant behavior among adolescents:

• destructive-aggressive - it is characterized by radical and even rebellious actions of the individual in order to establish new orders in the environment where he is located, this can be a family or boarding school, orphanage, as well as changing the activities of a social group or his place in it (class in school, a group at a club or in a sports section, a gangster group on the street, etc.).
• destructive-compensatory - a milder form of deviant behavior in which a teenager tries to take a desired place in society or achieve certain changes in his social status. In contrast to the destructive-aggressive form of behavior, in this case a person most often gives in to his principles and beliefs, falling under the influence of a certain social group. This may be submission to the rules of informal groups in exchange for their friendship, protection, recognition or material support. For example, a teenager who has not previously tried cigarettes or alcohol or has not used obscene language begins to use them. Joins in bullying someone outside the group or takes a passive position, not trying to protect the victim from attacks from peers.
• compensatory-illusory - aimed at relieving psychological discomfort and dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs with the help of psychoactive substances. There is no opposition to society; the teenager chooses to isolate himself from it or artificially change the existing perception.

Correcting the latter form of deviance usually causes the greatest difficulties, since in addition to psychological characteristics, it is also necessary to solve the problem of addiction.

Classification of social deviation

Deviant behavior is divided into positive and destructive forms.

Positive deviant behavior includes:

• scientific achievements and discoveries;
• increased zeal at school, at work;
• creative hobbies and successes;
• participation in charity events;
• heroic deeds, self-sacrifice.

This behavior is considered deviant from the norm, but the deviation is positive.

Negative deviant behavior is the commission of acts and actions that are condemned by those surrounded by the majority. Destructive character deviation can be divided into the following types:

• addictive deviation;
• immoral deviation;
• delinquent deviation.

In turn, these types are divided into several types and subspecies.

All negative types of deviation can manifest themselves in 3 forms of behavior:

1. Unconscious deviation. The patient does not understand why his behavior is considered a deviation from the norm, and violates the rules of society unconsciously.
2. Nonconformist behavior. A person realizes that his actions and actions do not fit into social norms, and deviates from them intentionally.
3. Aberrant behavior. A person understands the unacceptability of his actions, and because of his reluctance to be blamed, he commits them secretly, in secret from others.

Important! Also in psychology, pre-deviant syndrome is distinguished: a complex of symptoms leading to stable negative deviant behavior. It is manifested by conflicts with the environment, increased aggressiveness, and a negative attitude towards study and work.

Addictive deviance

Addictive deviant behavior is a systematic escape from life’s problems, expressed in the form of an unhealthy passion for something, pathological dependencies.

Deviant addiction manifests itself in the form of:

• alcoholism and drug addiction;
• anorexia, bulimia;
• religious fanaticism;
• nymphomania;
• computer addiction;
• workaholism.

Addictiveness can be socially useful, neutral and destructive. Regardless of the subtype, such behavior indicates psychological problems and requires the intervention of a psychotherapist.

Immoral deviance

The subgroup includes deviant behavior that violates moral and ethical social norms. The actions of an immoral person do not pose a serious social danger, but are condemned by society.

Immoral behavior includes the following:

• promiscuity, prostitution;
• vagrancy and begging;
• increased aggression towards people;
• consumption of alcohol, drugs;
• refusal to work, study activities;
• insult, humiliation of surrounding people.

Some classifications of deviant behavior classify the immoral subtype as a socially neutral type of deviance.

Delinquent deviance

The subgroup of delinquent or non-normative behavior includes types of behavior that violate the legal norms of society. They can appear in 2 forms:

1. Pre-criminogenic, or illegal type. Violates legal norms. It manifests itself as hooliganism, vandalism, arson of property, fights and beatings, and insults.
2. Criminogenic, or criminal type. Violates criminal regulations. Includes robbery, burglary, assault, fraud, extortion, rape and murder, as well as attempted murder.

Delinquency requires strict prohibitive and repressive measures. A person who commits illegal and criminal acts poses a serious threat to society. A delinquent deviant may be subject to forced treatment in psychiatric institutions.

Prevention of deviant behavior

Preventive measures should be aimed at identifying children at risk, eliminating factors contributing to the development of deviations, as well as providing timely assistance.

In order to stabilize the emotional and behavioral spheres in children and adolescents, it is necessary:

• To develop an interest in the world around us and people, a desire to study and understand the patterns of people’s reactions and the functioning of society. This needs to be done not only in educational institutions, but above all in the family.
• Introduce the child to the appropriate rules of behavior in various life situations. For kids, it is possible to consolidate the necessary skills in a playful way; for teenagers, training classes are suitable.
• Develop adequate self-perception and self-esteem, which subsequently makes it possible to navigate in any situation and choose appropriate behavior from those strategies that were successfully learned earlier.
• Develop communication skills in various forms for any situation, as well as with different categories of people. The more practice a person receives, the higher the likelihood of subconsciously using the correct strategy in a real situation.
• Parents should pay attention to intrafamily interaction and the psycho-emotional atmosphere in the family. Develop mutual understanding and parenting competence.

For categories of children and adolescents who have undergone correctional programs, it is necessary to prevent a return to previous forms of interaction. The key points here will be practicing the acquired skills and appropriate moral and psychological support.

[edit] Sources

1. ↑ 1,01,11,2 Zmanovskaya E.V.
   Deviantology: (Psychology of deviant behavior) / Textbook. aid for students higher textbook establishments.. - M: Publishing Center "Academy", 2003. - 288 p.
2. Andreeva G.M.
   Social psychology / Textbook for higher educational institutions. - M: Aspect Press, 2001.
3. Belinskaya E.P., Tikhomandritskaya O.A.
   Social psychology of personality / Textbook for universities. - M: Aspect Press, 2001. - 301 p.

Examples of deviant behavior and the correct reaction of parents

One of the common examples with which parents turn to a psychologist is when a child behaves aggressively for no apparent reason or makes scandals.

The most effective response on the part of adults, preventing the recurrence of such manifestations, will be its complete absence. Those. even if a child falls to the floor, chokes in hysterics and screams all over the street, the parent should start talking to him only after he has completely calmed down. Thus, self-control is trained and behavior is reinforced, in which the baby understands that he will be listened to only if he behaves normally.

Absenteeism from school and systematic failure to complete assignments should not cause an excessive reaction on the part of parents, but they also cannot be ignored. This form may be a way to attract attention from the family, or it may arise as a result of psychological difficulties that have arisen in the school community. Here it is important to calmly discuss with the child the reasons for this behavior, without interrogating or hinting at punishment. The main thing is to let the child understand that you are at the same time, that is, you are even ready to write a note to the class teacher if a banal rest will correct the situation.

In case of offenses and/or evidence of drug use, drastic measures are necessary to suppress this type of behavior, including changing the place of residence, if there are no other opportunities to change the child’s social circle. It is also necessary to carefully study the reasons for this behavior and eliminate them, since without removing the “root” of the problem, its recurrence is very likely.

Features of adolescence

From a psychological point of view, the age of transition from childhood to adulthood begins and ends individually. The child begins to strive for independence, wants to find his place in society, and sometimes even change his immediate environment. He begins to develop political sympathies - often they are opposite to his parents'. The views reveal categoricalness and intolerance—youthful maximalism. Behavior often becomes uncontrollable and aggressive.

During the transition period, romantic relationships arise. The child searches for his sexual identity and begins to be sexually active. He may try smoking, use alcohol or drugs, strives to make his own decisions and rejects everything that seems uncomfortable to him.

Three problems of deviantology.

It seems that everything is extremely simple: there is normal, usual behavior accepted in society, and there is behavior that deviates either in a negative or in a positive direction.

But deviation is a much more complex phenomenon, and this complexity is determined mainly by three problems :

1. The boundaries of a social norm are not precise, but rather conditional and blurred.
2. The unsolvability of the dilemma “Freedom or Necessity?” The choice to act as one should, as dictated by society, moral and legal norms, or to act freely as one wants - in the end, remains a personal matter for everyone.
3. There is simply no such thing as a citizen who is absolutely normal in all respects!

A person can, having committed a crime (negative deviation), save many people (positive result), and another, seemingly making a brilliant discovery (positive deviation), harm all of humanity (negative result).

Human behavior is relative and contradictory , it is very complex, multifaceted, determined by many factors, and therefore often cannot be assessed on a scale of “good and evil,” but there is no other evaluation criterion.

It is moral norms that determine who is to be condemned and punished and who is not, since they underlie written and unwritten laws. But judging a person strictly as “good” or “bad” is like looking at a three-dimensional cube from only one side and recognizing it as a flat square.

Criminals, hermits, revolutionaries, homeless people, geniuses, saints, discoverers - all these are deviants, that is, people who differ from the “average” in character and behavior.

Deviant can be not only an individual, but also a group of people, a community, an organization or a subculture.

Causes of appearance in children

Biological. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for cognitive control, is just beginning to develop. Therefore, when making decisions, the brain uses the limbic system, which is responsible for the sphere of emotions. The actions of a teenager seem illogical to adults. In reality, a small person is simply not yet able to control emotional swings and the need for strong sensations. Source: A.I. Papkin Deviant behavior and psychological ways of its prevention // Bulletin of RUDN University, Ser. "Psychology and Pedagogy", 2007, No. 2, pp. 6-13

Social – the influence of the media and gender norms, the psychological climate in the family and the role among peers. Harsh parenting practices, sexual abuse, discrimination and social exclusion, bullying and socioeconomic problems increase the risk of antisocial behavior. Risk groups include orphans, members of minorities, teenagers who became parents early or entered into marriage, including forced marriage.

Pedagogical – educational strategy of parents and teachers (for example, hypo-custody or hyper-custody).

Psychological – attention deficit hyperreactivity disorder, neurological and somatoform disorders, autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation.