There are many theories as to what causes deviance to exist. Theorists come from a multitude of backgrounds, anywhere from biological to psychological to sociological. What many do not address, however, is any possible origin of deviance.
Take Ronald Akers' social learning theory, for example. In a nutshell, his theory proposes that an individual will become deviant by learning, through exposure to deviant peers, to engage in such acts. What this theory doesn't resolve, however, is the question "well, how did the individual's peers become deviant in the first place? By associating with deviant peers? What of their peers?" It become a large cycle that seems to never end, but mustn't it end at some point?
So, my question is what were the causes of deviance in the first place? Obviously none of us were around at the origins of deviance, but whether it be by philosophy, religion, or whatever, I'm sure we all have our theories. It is my view that a theory of the origins of deviance can greatly aid one in developing a theory of the continuation of deviance. Therefore, this question, while seeming irrelevant to many criminologists, seems crucial to me.
***I'm using the term deviance due to the fact that the definition of crime/delinquency is often restrained by written law. Deviance is used to encourage thinking of wrongful acts that might fall outside of crime/delinquency.***
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