Crime And Deviance

Question 1

Crime

Answer 1

A legal worry, followed by criminal proceedings, possibly resulting in punishment (offence punishable by law) e.g. murder

Question 2

Deviance

Answer 2

Disapproved behaviour by most in a society or group, and doesn’t conform to shared norms and values e.g. cheating during a test

Question 3

Social order

Answer 3

Conformity to shared norms and values si society is peaceful and predictable e.g. following school rules

Question 4

Social control

Answer 4

People are persuaded to obey rules and conform e.g. police reinforcing punishment through prison

Question 5

Formal social control

Answer 5

Carried out by authorised institutions e.g. government, criminal justice system

Question 6

Informal social control

Answer 6

Carried out by agencies such as education, family

Question 7

The social construction of crime

Answer 7

Created and defined by society based on the norms and values of the said culture.

Question 8

Cultural relativity

Answer 8

Refers to how crime/deviance can vary according to time, society and circumstances. Behaviour may be criminal or deviant in some cases, but not others e.g. clothing at the beech vs the street

Question 9

Relativity of crime: time

Answer 9

Smoking in 1930s—> norm, widely accepted (not criminal/deviant)
2007–> illegal smoke in enclosed places (criminal)
Same sex marriage (1967,2013)

Question 10

Relativity of crime: culture

Answer 10

Women wearing shorts/ mini skirts in Western societies = normal
Women exposing their legs in Islamic societies = criminal/ deviant

Question 11

Relativity of crime: circumstance

Answer 11

Criminal+deviant—> killing a person in cold blood
Not criminal+deviant—> a soldier killing an enemy on the battlefield

Question 12

Dark Figure

Answer 12

Describes the unknown mass of unreported and unrecorded offences.
Exposed the limitations of using official statistics to measure crime

Question 13

Crime and deviance socially constructed in society

Answer 13

Crime and deviance are influenced by social norms and values, which shape what is considered acceptable behavior. When individuals deviate from these norms, social control mechanisms, both formal (such as laws) and informal (such as peer pressure), are used to regulate behavior. Laws are in place to protect society, while socialization, both primary (through family) and secondary (through education and peers), plays a crucial role in teaching individuals societal values. Different social factors, including class, family, and peer influence, contribute to shaping behavior. Over time, social norms change, leading to shifts in authority and the emergence of deviant youth cultures. The younger generation plays a role in transmitting modern values, ensuring that societal expectations evolve.