What is Positive Deviance?

 

Positive Deviance is based on the observation that in every community there are certain individuals or groups whose uncommon behaviors and strategies enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers, while having access to the same resources and facing similar or worse challenges.

The Positive Deviance approach is an asset-based, problem-solving, and community-driven approach that enables the community to discover these successful behaviors and strategies and develop a plan of action to promote their adoption by all concerned.

 

Latest PD News:
Upcoming Positive Deviance Book Publication

Learn about an exciting PD book being published soon

UTEP Social Justice Pioneer Award Ceremony & Lecture Recap
UTEP Social Justice Pioneer Award Ceremony & Lecture Recap

Featuring a news story and photos from the first Social Justice Pioneer Award Ceremony

Recently Added Publications to the Site!
Recently Added Publications to the Site!

Read about new updates to the site!

PD Japan Biz Zine Articles
PD Japan Biz Zine Articles

Read new articles on Positive Deviance Japan!
Healthcare Journal

How converging fields of co-creation and positive deviance may increase value in healthcare
France Harvard Business Review

Read on the methods and ways in which Positive Deviance can be applied in security organizations
Devex

This article explores innovative uses of data to drive global development
Positive Deviance Voices Blog

Check out this Positive Deviance Voices blog that was created by students participating in the PDV project!
The Economist

The Economist reports on Ben Ramalingam's new book, "Aid on the Edge of Chaos."