Theory Database - Theory 20: General Theory of Deviant Behaviour

This is a searchable database of theories of behaviour change that have been formalised according to an Ontology-Based Modelling System.

For more information, see:

West, R., Godinho, C. A., Bohlen, L. C., Carey, R. N., Hastings, J., Lefevre, C. E., & Michie, S. (2019). Development of a formal system for representing behaviour-change theories. Nature human behaviour, 3(5), 526. doi.org/10.1038/s41562-019-0561-2.
Hale, J., Hastings, J., West, R., Lefevre, C. E., Direito, A., Connell Bohlen, L., Godinho, C., Anderson, N., Zink, S., Goarke, H., and Michie, S. (2020) An ontology-based modelling system (OBMS) for representing behaviour change theories applied to 76 theories [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]. Wellcome Open Research.

Number of Constructs: 9
Number of Triples: 11

Negative membership group experiences influences Negative self-attitudes
Negative self-attitudes negatively influences Motivation to comply
Negative self-attitudes positively influences Motivation to deviate
Self-esteem motive influences the 'Negative self-attitudes' to 'Motivation to comply' Negatively influences relationship
Self-esteem motive influences the 'Negative self-attitudes' to 'Motivation to deviate' Positively influences relationship
Motivation to comply influences Perceived availability of alternative deviant behaviour
Motivation to deviate influences Perceived availability of alternative deviant behaviour
Perceived availability of alternative deviant behaviour influences Motivated deviant behaviour
Anticipation of positive consequences of deviant behaviour influences the 'Perceived availability of alternative deviant behaviour' to 'Motivated deviant behaviour' Influences relationship
Self-enhancing consequences influences Negative self-attitudes
Motivated deviant behaviour influences Self-enhancing consequences

Negative membership group experiences One's social, cultural and environmental experiences, and experiences within groups that one has been a member of [ BCIO:050723 (negative social environmental system) 20 ]
Negative self-attitudes [ BCIO:006035 (Evaluation of self) 20 46 45 ]
Motivation to comply [ BCIO:006059 (Willingness to comply) 20 31 30 ]
Motivation to deviate [ BCIO:006133 (Motivation) 20 49 26 23 40 32 39 ]
Self-esteem motive The desire to maintain or increase positive emotions that arise from self-evaluation, and to reduce negative emotions of the same type [ BCIO:006066 (Need for self-esteem) 20 ]
Perceived availability of alternative deviant behaviour Perceptions of the availability of alternative behaviour patterns that enhance one's evaluations of oneself but that deviate significantly from what is considered appropriate or typical for a social group [ BCIO:050614 (Cognitive representation of an alternative behaviour) 20 32 ]
Motivated deviant behaviour Any behaviour that deviates significantly from what is considered appropriate or typical for a social group [ BCIO:036072 (Antisocial behaviour) 20 ]
Anticipation of positive consequences of deviant behaviour [ BCIO:006019 (Belief about consequences of behaviour) 20 42 24 32 25 31 34 33 ]
Self-enhancing consequences

Kaplan, H.B. (1972). Toward a general theory of psychosocial deviance: the case of aggressive behaviour. Social Science & Medicine, 6, 593-617.
Kaplan, H.B. (1982). Self-attitudes and deviant behaviour: New directions for theory and research. Youth Society, 14(2), 185-211.
Kaplan, H.B., Martin, S.S. & Robbins, C. (1982). Application of a general theory of deviant behaviour: self-derogation and adolescent drug use. Journal of Health and Social Behaviour, 23(4), 274-294.