Which term refers to attempts to define what constitutes deviant behavior?

The term that refers to attempts to define what constitutes deviant behavior is "moral enterprise." This concept encompasses the processes by which individuals or groups seek to impose their definitions of morality and deviance onto society. Moral entrepreneurs are often involved in advocating for social changes that redefine what is considered acceptable or unacceptable behavior based on their values and beliefs. Through moral enterprise, these individuals or groups can influence laws, regulations, and social norms, thereby shaping the understanding of deviance in a given culture.

Cultural norms are important in the context of deviance, as they establish the standards for acceptable behavior within a society; however, they do not specifically address the active process of defining deviance. Deviance construction could be associated with the broader concept of how behaviors are labeled as deviant, but the term itself is not widely recognized in sociological literature. Legal enterprise may refer to various activities related to the law but does not directly pertain to the definition of deviance like moral enterprise does. Hence, moral enterprise is the most fitting term for the question asked.