Social construction and social control

Question 1

Is crime and deviance socially constructed?

Answer 1

Sociological view is that it is. An act is not deviant or criminal itself until it is labelled as such by society. Crime is relative to the society in which we live. Crime and deviance are socially constructed because laws vary and change over time.

Question 2

Social control

Answer 2

Social controls refers to the ways in which society minimises the amount of crime and deviance. Prevent strategies as well as consequences for behaviour, ensures that society maintains social order.

Question 3

Formal social control

Answer 3

Society enforces conformity through legislation e.g. criminalisation of rape in marriage.

Question 4

Informal social control

Answer 4

Society minimises the amount of crime and deviance by transmitting shared norms of behaviour and shared values.

Question 5

Control theory of crime

Answer 5

Hirschi - Social bonds theory. Durkheim and Hirschi both believe that social order is based on shared values and socialisation. Hirschi asks why most people DO NOT commit crime. 4 bonds: belief, attachment, commitment, involvement - pulls people away from crime and persuades them.