E. Time Context People used to be burned at the stake for engaging in behavior that most twentieth-century people see as normal. For a long time the Western view of deviance has been strongly influenced by the church's view which dates back to the 4th century. Religious Explanations are the oldest of all explanations for deviance . The deviant is seen as morally deprived and perhaps possessed by the devil . The cause is seen as residing inside the individual.
Evil spirits possess the victim .
Alcoholism is seen as a weakness, mental illness is seen as irresponsibility, criminal and deviant acts result from giving in to our evil nature , sexual deviance is seen as moral depravity, and rebellion is seen as immaturity. In each case the cause of deviance lies within the individual. It is easy to blame individuals. Societal-based problems are difficult to understand and even more difficult to correct. People seem to prefer what is easiest.