Normative Social Behavior and Deviant Social Behavior

To overcome the shortcomings and limitations of the above mentioned schools of psychology, activity psychologists have researched and proposed a more correct and objective concept of behavior.

According to Vygotsky, psychology must study human behavior and psychology in interaction with the surrounding environment. The environment in which people live should not be understood simply as the sum of physical stimuli and social stimuli, but must be understood as containing objects and products of labor - that is the social environment, which includes the sum of social relations created by people in the process of carrying out their activities and people participating in those relations. It contains a two-way process: the environment affects people and people affect the environment through purposeful actions, people change the environment, and at the same time change themselves. Therefore, we can understand human behavior through their activities. Regarding the structure of behavior, Vygotsky pointed out that the structure of human behavior includes historical experience, social experience and dual experience.

According to Rubinstein, behavior is a special form of activity : it becomes behavior when the motive for action changes from the object plan to the social-personal relationship plan (these two plans are not separate: the social-personal relationship is realized in the object relationship [16, p.260].

Regarding the conscious component in the structure of human behavior, according to Lomov: “Consciousness reflects existence. But it should not be assumed that at all times consciousness completely corresponds to existence. It is not a shadow, not a direct image, it does not repeat the event exactly. Consciousness “coincides” with the event only on a general scale” [31, p.285]. In the process of cognitive activity, the individual not only absorbs inherent knowledge but also has the ability to create new knowledge. The regulatory function at the level of consciousness is intentionality . Individual behavior is performed as a manifestation of its will . For activity, “consciousness plays the highest directional role, the most sophisticated control and adjustment” [21, p.93]. For human action, conscious action is the main action, even instinctive action is consciousized. In humans, there are also actions that are directed, controlled, and adjusted by the unconscious (the behavior of young children, the actions of people under suggestion, hypnosis, and mental illness, etc.), but these are not typical, common, or regular actions.

Thus, according to the concept of activity psychologists, behavior includes and is expressed in external actions, associated with the psychology and inner consciousness of the person.

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Although people sometimes act unconsciously, the typical, common, and regular behavior of people is conscious behavior.

Based on that theoretical basis, in Vietnam, there have been a number of practical research works in psychology that have affirmed that human behavior is a conscious behavior, expressed in aspects and components including: perception, attitude, motivation and external action. In the doctoral thesis in Psychology "Research on the behavior of individual customers depositing savings in banks", author Le Thi Thu Hang (2012) affirmed: the behavior of individual customers depositing savings in banks includes four aspects divided into two external components and internal components, in which: action is the external component and motivation, perception, attitude belong to the internal components of that behavior [22]. The external components have a close, organic relationship with each other and are influenced by many objective and subjective factors. Author Le Thi Linh Trang (2013) in her doctoral thesis in psychology "Research on urban civilized behavior of Ho Chi Minh City youth" also stated that: urban civilized behavior includes four aspects of expression: awareness, attitude, motivation to perform and external action [48].

Based on the behavioral perspective of the activity psychology school and the concepts of the above authors, the author of the thesis conceives of human behavior as follows:

Human behavior is the conscious reactions and responses of the subject to the surrounding world and to himself, expressed in his perception, attitude, motivation and external actions in certain conditions and situations.

From the above concept it should be noted:

- Behavior is always the behavior of a subject with all its psychological, physiological, social, historical and active conditions. Although sometimes there is unconscious behavior, typical, regular and common human behavior is conscious behavior.

- Behavior is expressed in perception, attitude, motivation and external actions of

subject

- Behavior always occurs under certain conditions and situations within the subject himself.

body and in the surrounding environment.

- Can observe, recognize and measure behavioral manifestations.

2.1.2. Social behavior

2.1.2.1. Concept of social behavior

Social behavior is a basic category of social psychology. According to the “Dictionary of Psychology” edited by Vu Dung (2008), social behavior is understood as “behavior under the control or influence of society or a social group” [16, p.270].

Author Nguyen Thi Hoa (2000) believes that: Social behavior is human behavior of a social nature, including: (1) Behavior formed in society; (2) Behaviors influenced by others and socio-cultural factors; (3) Group behaviors [17, p.246].

According to author Vu Gia Hien (2005), when talking about social behavior, we must understand the relationship between the individual and society. Although individual behavior depends on the intentions, motives, and needs of the individual, it is constrained by specific conditions of society and history. Social behavior includes constants in different cultural contexts, and these cultural constants make up human nature [24, p.309].

From the above concepts, the author of the thesis argues that: Social behavior is the social behavior of individuals or groups in society, subject to the orientation, regulation and assessment of social norms.

2.1.2.2. Normative social behavior and deviant social behavior

* Social norms:

According to the “Dictionary of Psychology” edited by Vu Dung (2008), “social norms are a set of behavioral rules and methods of conduct for individuals in society (or in a group). A society (or a social group) has norms to ensure unity, so that it is considered a society (or a social group). For members of a society (or a social group), social norms are considered a widely governing value and are commonly followed. It is based on the voluntary approval of individuals, and also on sanctions for individuals who violate them (mainly spiritual sanctions)…” [16, pp.103-104].

According to the “Vietnamese Encyclopedia”, social norms are “terms used to describe general standards or ideas that guide people in meeting social requirements. Individuals in society accept norms, comply with them through simple actions or in moral judgments to enhance group unity. People call an action a norm, meaning that it emphasizes the response to

behavioral requirements for the community. Any established group has its own standards for itself and, more broadly, the community. Group standards may differ from group to group and small parts of the group may apply different standards in the same situation” [26, p.528].

Inheriting the above concepts, the author of the thesis believes that: Social norms are a set of behavioral rules and methods of conduct for individuals or social groups, with the function of guiding, regulating, and evaluating all social behaviors of people, in order to consolidate and ensure social stability, maintain order, discipline, and social security.

There are many ways to classify social norms. Based on the subject and method of regulation, social norms are divided into: legal norms; ethical norms; aesthetic norms; political norms; religious norms; and customs and traditions.

* Normative social behavior:

Authors Nguyen Quang Uan, Tran Huu Luyen, Tran Quoc Thanh (2003) [51] raised three perspectives when considering normative behavior: (1) Statistically, normative behavior is behavior when the majority of members of the community have similar behavior in a given situation; (2) In terms of social conventions, normative behavior occurs on the basis of the community's general requirements for each member; (3) In terms of function, each individual sets a goal when acting, so behavior is considered normative when it is consistent with the behavioral goal set by the individual.

The author of the thesis agrees with the way of considering normative behavior from the perspective of social conventions. Conventions can be written or unwritten, but they are requirements that each member must perform in order to maintain social order and bring benefits.

harmony for oneself, others and the community. However, social norms are not immutable but have a social-historical nature. The same social behavior is appropriate in one period but no longer appropriate in another period according to social norms. Therefore, to have behavior that meets the requirements of the community, each individual must master the norms and many times, they need to overcome and overcome their own difficulties and circumstances to properly implement those norms, not to achieve their needs and interests at all costs. In other words, normative behavior from the perspective of social convention is human adaptive behavior to the provisions of social norms.

Therefore, the author of the thesis believes that: Normative social behavior is social behavior that is consistent with current social norms, demonstrating human's ability to adapt to society.

* Behavior that deviates from social norms:

Behavior that deviates from social norms (also known as deviant behavior, deviant behavior) is of interest to many scientific fields such as sociology, psychology, education, ethics, etc.

From a sociological perspective, author Luong Tr Uc (2015) considers deviant behavior as a conscious violation of the standards or expectations of a group or society... An obvious form of deviance is crime, the violation of norms officially promulgated as law [52, p.399].

From a psychological perspective, author Nguyen Nhu Chien (2008) believes that: Deviant social behavior is a behavior that violates social norms [8]. Author Nguyen Linh Khieu (2002) emphasizes that deviant behavior is a lifestyle, behavior that is contrary to or beyond the stereotype of the community or society at a certain time and they have a negative impact or risk disrupting the existence of the current community or society [29, pp. 29-34]. Author Le Ha (2000) approaches deviant social behavior from a statistical perspective, according to which, in a certain situation, what behaviors are different from the behaviors of normal people; in terms of social conventions, behaviors are different from general requirements and regulations, not in accordance with the law; in terms of function, behaviors are not suitable for the set purpose [19, pp. 48-51].

When considering social deviant behavior, author Tran Quoc Thanh (2003) believes that we should not attribute it to one behavior but rather consider a system of specific behaviors such as: the number of behaviors that do not conform to established standards; motives, attitudes, and the strength of the behavior; and inappropriateness to the situation in which the behavior occurs [51, p.194].

From an educational perspective, author Le Ngoc Van (1996) considers deviant behavior as "behavior that does not integrate into the mainstream culture, expressing disagreement and not sharing the community's concepts and perceptions of what is right, what is wrong, what should be done, what should not be done, the goals and values that society strives for" [56, pp.36-39].

Although there are many different concepts of social deviance, it is clear that the above concepts all show that social deviance is socially regulated and assessed by a social community or a group within that community in written or unwritten form, including

possible consequences for the subject of deviant behavior. Social norms are associated with a certain time and social space, therefore, they are relative.

From the above viewpoints and analysis, according to the author of the thesis: Social deviation is a behavior that violates social norms of an individual or social group within a certain period of time and social space.

Normative social behavior and deviant social behavior must be considered and referred to according to the provisions of certain types of social norms for their regulated objects. When there are differences in the level, nature, and scope of regulation of the provisions between types of social norms, the consideration of that behavior must first be based on mandatory, official, written, widely recognized, and more progressive regulations.

2.1.2.3. Legal normative conduct and legal deviation from normative conduct

* Concept of legal standards:

Legal norms are a type of social norms that appear in a society with a state. Legal norms are general rules of conduct issued and guaranteed by the state to regulate social relations and guide the behavior of individuals and social groups [36, p.183].

We agree with the concept of legal norms of author Nguyen Hop Toan (2011): Legal norms are a system of mandatory rules of conduct, both expressing the will of the ruling class and meeting the needs of society to regulate social relations, creating order and stability for social development [46, p.51].

* Concept of legal normative behavior:

There are two types of behavior regulated by legal standards: behavior that complies with legal standards and behavior that deviates from legal standards.

From the above concept of normative social behavior and legal norms, the author of the thesis argues that: Normative legal behavior is social behavior that is consistent with the principles and regulations of current legal norms, and is guaranteed to be implemented and protected by the state.

Legal normative behavior is positive behavior, expressed in compliance with, execution of, and use of legal norms and generally not violating legal norms.

* Concept of behavior that deviates from legal standards:

Although legal norms are guaranteed and protected by the state with powerful tools, in social reality, legal norms are not always fully implemented. When an individual or a specific social group commits an act that violates principles and regulations and does not meet the requirements of legal norms, that act is called a deviant act of social norms.

The author of the thesis agrees with the view of the authors Ngo Van Nhan, Cao Minh Cong, Phung Thanh Thao (2015) that: Behavior that deviates from legal norms is the behavior of an individual or a social group that violates the principles and regulations of legal norms [36, p.184].

2.2. Some theoretical issues on road traffic behavior of young people

2.2.1. Youth and some basic psychological characteristics of youth related to road traffic participation behavior

2.2.1.1. Concept of youth

The concept of youth currently has many different approaches, there is no consensus on age.

In the “Dictionary of Psychology” edited by Vu Dung (2008), adolescence is understood as: “The stage of life starting from puberty until full physical development and maturity. In humans, it is the period from about 12 to 21 years old for females and 13 to 22 years old for males. During this time, there are major changes taking place in different proportions in physiological characteristics, body image, sexual interest, career development, intellectual development and self-concept” [16, p.795].

According to the Ministry of Health and the General Statistics Office (2003), when conducting a national survey on Vietnamese adolescents and youth, "youth" were divided into 3 subgroups at the ages of 14-17, 18-21, 22-25 [7, p.149]. From a sociological - population perspective, youth "is a complex part of the population of a nation - people including all individuals between the ages of 15 and 29" [49, p.148-149].

This thesis studies the road traffic behavior of young people from the perspective of legal standards, so approaching young people from a legal perspective is the most appropriate. Therefore, we unify the concept of young people according to the Youth Law of 2005: Young people are Vietnamese citizens from 16 to 30 years old [34] .

2.2.1.2. Some basic psychological characteristics of young people related to road traffic participation behavior

Youth is an age group, a social group with different psychological characteristics compared to other ages and social groups. Studying the basic psychological characteristics of youth, we can better understand their traffic behavior, as well as the subjective factors that affect that behavior. On that basis, help propose more appropriate measures to improve the level of law compliance and road traffic safety for youth.

* Cognitive characteristics of young people:

- Feeling and perception:

According to author Huynh Van Son (2012), in adolescence, human physical development gradually perfects like adults. Physiologically, height increases and decreases; physical qualities such as strength, endurance, and flexibility are enhanced; changes in the development of the nervous system and brain are determined. This is the period of sexual maturity. The outstanding feature of the sensory and perceptual development of adolescents is that they are conscious, purposeful, and systematic, clearly expressed in the learning process as well as in all other activities. The perception of adolescents is highly sensitive, purposeful perception reaches a very high level in all types of perception (space, time, movement, ...). Observation becomes more systematic and comprehensive. The observation process is more influenced by the second signal system and is inseparable from linguistic thinking. Young people can control their activities according to a general plan and pay attention to every step [43].

- Remember:

In adolescence, intentional memorization plays a dominant role, abstract logical memorization and meaningful memorization are increasingly perfect. The durability of information in long-term memory in adolescence is quite long and accurate. However, some adolescents still remember roughly and generally, underestimating the importance of regular review.

Some authors have cited inexperience as a contributing factor to the high rate of traffic accidents among adolescents (Catchpole, Cairney, and Macdonald, 1994) [78]. In terms of long-term memory processes, inexperience is associated with a lack of understanding of factors such as traffic situations, problem solving, and decision-making strategies…

- Attention:

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