Deviance is seen to be relative, that is what is considered to be deviant or criminal behavior depends upon what groups are in power and what they consider to be deviant. Furthermore, there are differences among groups as to what is considered to be deviant behavior. Jazz musicians have rarely considered the use of marijuana deviant, businesses almost always consider such use deviant. Most explanations place the source of deviant behavior in the realm of the social, in the structure of the society. These same explanations also note that most of us do not deviate seriously, but rather conform most of the time.
Conformity is attributed to social control, both formal and informal and direct and indirect.