Sociological study of deviant behaviors among university students: An application of rational choice theory

The present study aims to investigate the type and the extent of the spread of deviant behaviors. The theoretical framework of this study is based on rational choice theory. The structural model has also been adjusted on the basis of the relationships between the variables. This study employs a survey that including a sample of 435 students of Tabriz University who have been chosen by the method of proportionate stratified random sampling. Generally speaking, the research findings of this analysis accord with the theoretical model. Furthermore, the research findings confirm that the dependent variable is significantly affected by investment, opportunity, curiosities-excitement, and utilitarian need variables. However, the results do not support the significant effects of continuity, moral beliefs, self-control and punishment variables. More specifically, the effects of opportunity variable are significant in all aspects of deviant behaviors. Finally, the detailed analysis identifies that the rational choice theory can only explain deviant behaviors among male students as it does not apply to female gender.