Difference between discrepancy Vs deviation is very interesting to unfold. Discrepancy /n/ is a state or effect of an unexpected mismatch between what should be and what exactly is. It is all about the result of unexpected mismatch that should have been same. While deviation means an act of drifting away from the standards set by society or such entity.
| Sr.No. | Discrepancy | Deviation |
| 01 | General concept showing unexpected mismatch between two things or results | Sociological term used to highlight abnormal behaviour |
| 02 | Possible chances of wrongdoings to make mismatch | It is due to social conflict and demands social change |
| 03 | discrepancy in report, results, statements, accounts etc. | deviant act, deviance, social deviant |
In this blog, discrepancy vs deviation, I’m trying to explain and construct the exact meanings and difference between discrepancy, deviation, inconsistency, differences, ambiguity, anomaly, and disparity.
Understanding dictionary definitions of discrepancy, deviation, inconsistency, difference, ambiguity, and anomaly
Suppose, in a given fiscal year, your company is showing great numbers of sale of products compare to previous year. However, the actual balance sheet is indicating otherwise. Surely, something wrong has smelled.
In simple terms, discrepancy means that something is happening contrary to your assumed expectation, and you are sensing wrongdoing by third force. So, you naturally demand investigation to bring up reality.
Defination of deviation or deviance
This term is mainly used in the sociological perspective. If a person behaves contrary or invariance with prescribed set of norms or standards, the person is being called as deviant, and his act becomes deviation.
For layman’s understanding, it is a act of drifting away from the desired standards of society. It is a cause of social conflict.
Relationship between Discrepancy deviation
In simple words, discrepancy is a result of unexpected mismatch between two things or theirs relations. What is mismatch and what should have been the result. It involves certain wrongdoings by third entity.
Deviation is an act of not compiling the prescribed set of norms or standards by people or actors of society. Here, people except everyone should follow the norms as they think they are essential for the uniformity of society. If a person behaves contrary or in variance with these norms, deviation results.
Understanding Discrepancy Vs inconsistency
Discrepancy is different from inconsistency though we tend to use interchangeably both. As per the definition, inconsistency means not as per the prescribed rules and regulations.
If you are presenting an argument either in favour or against of something. But, if it is not as per the rules of logic, the argument is termed as inconsistent.
Finally, discrepancy means mismatch between of what should be and what exactly is. While inconsistency means thing you doing is contrary to prescribed rules or procedure.
Discrepancy Vs deviation difference
Before to know the difference, let’s understand the meaning of deviation. Deviation /n/ is an act of drifting or choosing path that is inconsistent with the prescribed rules, custom, tradition, protocol or convention.
Unfolding meaning of deviation with examples
Deviation is an act not according to the commonly accepted or approved procedure of behaviour.
Suppose, eating non veg is a taboo in your religious beliefs or teaching; and despite you know it, you are deliberately consuming just you like it.
Then, undoubtedly, your act is termed as deviation by your community. Because, it is contrary or inconsistent with what your religion teaches and society follows.
Clearly, deviation implies act intended to go with alternative options even though it is contrary or opposite to what is commonly adopted procedure is.
Discrepancy Vs inconsistency Vs disparity
In english vocabulary, discrepancy, deviation, inconsistency, differences, ambiguity, anomaly, deviation show comparative relationship between two things. We usually assume or expect similar things should be same. If there we observe any unexpected mismatch, discrepancy arises.
Discrepancy is all about the state of inconsistency or mismatch between two things that should been have same otherwise. It is contrary to expectations we have regarding two results.
In simple terms, if we observe unexpected inconsistency, irregularities, mismatch, disparities between two results, actually, that should not be so. It is like discrepancy in numbers, results, statements, accounts, reports etc.
But, it is not like inconsistency or disparity. Inconsistency manifests not according to prescribed rules or regulations. And disparity highlights inequalities between two thingg. In both words, there is no place for any expected assumed results.
There may be regional disparity, economic disparity, disparity in development etc. It indicates the state of comparison between two things. In case of difference, there is no similarity in relationship between two things.
Anomaly vs ambiguity difference
It shows the behavioural relations of thing in the given condition. Anomalous behaviour of water means water shows strange behaviour in relations with other liquids in the same condition. It behaves contrary to the determined standards of science and our common sense logic.
Ambiguity is a state of confusion regarding the relationship of a thing with others. If it fails to construct definite meaning or relationship of a thing with others, we call it ambiguous.
Difference between transgression deviation and encouragement
Transgression denotes crossing your prescribed or determined limit set by authorities, morality or norms. In short, doing what is termed beyond your authority or jurisdiction.
Deviation implies an act of drifting away from social norms or behaves invariance with prescribed set of norms or standards.
Encroachment is different from both transgression and deviation. It is an illegal act of invading others rights or domain that should not have been done.
Definitely, if you go through all the above explanations and examples of discrepancy and deviation, it may not make you uneasy to understand.
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