Which term describes behaviors that differ from prevalent societal standards?

The term that best describes behaviors differing from prevalent societal standards is "deviant behaviors." This concept encompasses actions or habits that diverge from what is commonly accepted or expected within a specific culture or society. Deviance can be understood as a social judgement about behavior that strays from the normative values, traditions, or customs of a given population.

Recognizing behaviors as deviant does not necessarily imply that they are pathological; rather, it emphasizes their departure from societal norms. For instance, behaviors considered deviant in one culture may be viewed as completely acceptable in another, highlighting how cultural contexts influence the interpretation of behaviors.

Abnormal behaviors may often overlap with deviant behaviors, but the term "abnormal" usually connotes a clinical perspective focused on psychological or psychiatric disorders, emphasizing impairment or distress rather than a simple deviation from societal standards. Eccentric behaviors might refer to unconventional or quirky actions but do not necessarily imply any ethical or moral judgement regarding societal norms. Cultural syndromes specifically denote patterns of behavior or symptoms that are recognized as illnesses only within specific cultural contexts, which is a more specialized definition that does not broadly capture the essence of deviations from societal standards.