C&D- INTRO TO C&D Flashcards
What is crime?
Crime is behavior that breaks the formal, written laws of society.
Examples:
Minor crimes: Dropping litter.
Serious crimes: Theft, burglary, murder.
What is deviance?
Deviance is behavior that goes against the norms and values of society.
What are the two types of deviance?
Illegal Deviance: Breaks written laws and is disapproved by society.
Example: Theft.
Legal Deviance: Disapproved by society but not against the law.
Example: Talking loudly in a quiet library.
Are crime and deviance socially constructed?
Yes, both crime and deviance depend on the time, place, society, and social group.
How does time influence whether an act is criminal or deviant?
It depends on the historical era.
Examples:
Homosexuality (once criminal).
Women wearing trousers or smoking (once deviant).
Suicide (once illegal).
How does place influence whether an act is deviant?
It depends on where it happens.
Examples:
Nudity in a bathroom (acceptable) vs. on the street (deviant).
Fighting in a boxing ring (acceptable) vs. fighting in the street (deviant).
How does person or group influence whether an act is deviant?
It depends on the social group or generational norms.
Examples:
Loud music in public (generational gap).
Tattoos (class and generational differences).
Smoking cannabis (legal in some societies, illegal in others).
Can you give an example of something legal in one society but illegal in another, showing crime and deviance is a social construct?
In the UK, same-sex marriage is legal and recognized, but in many Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, same-sex marriage is illegal and considered a criminal offense.
