Crime and Deviance

Question 1

Crime Definition

Answer 1

An illegal act punishable by law. If detected, it will result in criminal proceedings. For example, burglary

Question 2

Deviance Definition

Answer 2

Behaviour that does not conform to society’s norms and rules. if detected, it can lead to negative sanctions. For example, burping at the table, queue jumping or wearing a bikini to work

Question 3

Legal Deviance

Answer 3

Behaviour considered in some way to be abnormal by most people in society, but is not punishable by the state. For example, farting in a lift

Question 4

Illegal Deviance

Answer 4

Behaviour that is considered abnormal by most people in society and is criminal. It is punishable by the state. For example, murder, rape

Question 5

Deviance as Socially Defined

Answer 5

Whether something is deviant is subjective to the situation.

Question 6

How deviant is an act? Is it criminal?

Answer 6

Depends on:

• Historical Setting
• Time of day/night
• social situation
• culture

Question 7

Social Order

Answer 7

This occurs when society is stable, ordered and runs smoothly without continual disruption.

Question 8

Marxism on Social Order

Answer 8

Social order is maintained because the bourgeoisie have the power to enforce it. For example, they have power to influence the types of laws passed in a society.

Question 9

Functionalism on Social Order

Answer 9

Social order is maintained because most people in society support the rules and agree to abide by them due to the consensus developed through socialisation.

Question 10

Social Control

Answer 10

Having control or constraints over people’s actions and behaviour, from society or groups.
Idea that people follow society’s rules as they are constrained by social
l groups and wider society.

Question 11

Methods of Social Control

Answer 11

The processes by which people are encouraged or persuaded to conform to the rules of society. It is also the way society deals with behaviour that breaks the rules.
Our behaviour is controlled by negative and positive sanctions.

Question 12

Sanctions- positive/negative

Answer 12

Rewards or punishments to those who conform or break the roles. Method of controlling people’s behaviour.

Question 13

Formal Social Control

Answer 13

Control of people’s behaviour based on written rules and laws, usually associated with the state. For example laws.

Question 14

Informal Social Control

Answer 14

Control of people’s behaviour based on unwritten rules and processes, like approval or disapproval. For example being complimented or made fun of by peers.

Question 15

Agencies of Social Control

Answer 15

Those who have a role in maintaining social order, so that most people are sticking to the rules most of the time.
For example
-CJS (judges, police etc)
-teachers
-Government/politicians
-parents
-army

Question 16

Formal Rules

Answer 16

Written, structured, more considered rules with an official status. These guide people’s behaviour in many social settings, for example the rule not to steal, the highway code etc.

Question 17

Informal Rules

Answer 17

Not written, more vague rules with an informal sanction and less official status. For example, you shouldn’t sit too close to a stranger or don’t take food out of other people’s fridge even though you’d take food out your own (more vague).