Social Construction of C&D

Question 1

Crime

Answer 1

Behaviours that break the formal, written laws in society

Question 2

Deviance

Answer 2

Behaviours that don’t conform to a society’s consensus norms and expectations

Question 3

Newburn (2007)

Answer 3

• Crime = label attached to certn forms of behaviours which are prohibited by the state and have some legal penalty against them

Question 4

Downes & Rock (2007)

Answer 4

Ambiguity is a key feature of rule breaking

Question 5

Is crime socially constructed?

Answer 5

• There is no act that is inherently criminal or deviant
• Dependent on how members of society see/define it
• Deviance can include criminal and non-criminal act
• Context & timing is also key

Question 6

Factors that affect deviance & how it’s viewed

Non-Deviant Crime

Answer 6

Some acts illegal, but not deviant - eg. speeding

Question 7

Factors that affect deviance and how it’s viewed

Time

Answer 7

Definitions of deviance have changed over time - eg. homosexuality

Question 8

Factors that affect deviance and how it’s viewed

Society & Culture

Answer 8

Deviance is culturally relative - eg. underage marriage

Question 9

Factors that affect deviance and how it’s viewed

Social Group

Answer 9

What may be acceptable in one group may not be in wider society - eg. extremist views

Question 10

Factors that affect deviance and how it’s viewed

Place or context

Answer 10

Location is important - eg. public v. private sex