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.

News & Events

04.10.13

Plexus Institute
Monique Sternin and Roger Swartz will be speaking about polio eradication efforts in Pakistan on the Healthcare PlexusCall on Wednesday April 10, at 1:00 eastern, 10:00 pacific time. They will be talking about the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the work of a PDI team to overcome some of the local challenges in the area of Karachi, Pakistan.

+ read more

03.14.13

Media Changemakers
The Media Changemakers Just Legends series features legendary individuals whose work has inspired the creation of a more just and humane world. This video features Jerry Sternin, founder of PDI, whom Arvind Singhal describes in the video as a citizen of the world. In his own words, Jerry speaks about the PD approach. Click here to view the video.

+ read more

     

                               

The Positive Deviance Initiative (PDI) is affiliated with Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

 

  

 Join the PDI Listserv!

Listserv members receive a monthly newsletter and important updates.

Follow PDInitiative on Twitter 

 

 

Multimedia Center

 

Click the thumbnails below to view videos about Positive Deviance. See more videos in our Multimedia Center