Defining crime and deviance and the impact of social control

Question 1

What is crime

Answer 1

Crime is An act which breaks the law e.g shoplifting or murder

Question 2

What is deviance

Answer 2

Deviance is an act which breaks the norms and values of a society e.g shouting in a library

Question 3

What is the relative nature of crime

Answer 3

Crime and deviance is relative. This suggests it changes over time and place because laws and norms change between different societies. For example, a woman wearing shorts may be seen as deviant in Middle Eastern countries but may not in European countries.

Question 4

What is the social construction of crime

Answer 4

Crime and deviance is socially constructed. This means that the laws and what is considered deviant is not set in stone and can change over time and place. For example, in the Victorian Times, wearing miniskirts was seen as deviant behaviour whereas in modern times, its seen as acceptable.

Question 5

What is social order

Answer 5

Social order: When individuals agree to a shared social contract that states that certain rules and laws must be abided by and certain standards, values, and norms maintained.

Question 6

How is social order maintained

Answer 6

To achieve this solidarity, society has two key mechanisms: socialisation and social control. This supports the ‘value consensus’ – an agreement about shared values.

Question 7

What is social control

Answer 7

Social control ensures that only a limited number of values and norms are acceptable and in so doing provides predictability and stability in a society leading to social harmony in order that social interaction can take place. Social control therefore, provides the basis for society ‘policing the boundaries’. The effectiveness of a society to monitor behaviour can also lead to individuals developing an ‘inner police officer’ that guides their own behaviour