Social construction of crime

Question 1

what is the difference between deviance and crime?

Answer 1

deviance is and act which is against socially agreed norms and values wheras crime is an act which is against socially agreed laws of society

Question 2

Plummer

Answer 2

2 aspects of defining deviance

Question 3

what is societal devaince?

Answer 3

acts seen as deviant by** most members** of society eg rape

Question 4

what is situational deviance?

Answer 4

acts only defined as deviant in particular contexts. factors influencing like social group, place/context, culture, time period

Question 5

what is social order?

Answer 5

• smooth running of society with little disruption
• this is because of forces in society enforcing adherance to norms.
• forces=social control

Question 6

what is the difference between formal and informal social control?

Answer 6

formal is based on the idea of formal, legal norms of behaviour eg schools behaviour policy that apply equally to everyone wheras informal is reward or punish people for acceptable or unacceptable behaviour, differ from individuals

Question 7

how do functionalists explain social order?

Answer 7

• socialised into agreed norms because believe they benefit society
• if dont agree on norms + values we have power to challenge them
• deviance due to inadequate socialisation

Question 8

how do marxists explain social order?

Answer 8

• norms and values imposed in interests of powerful
• social order exists bc ruling class have power in society
• deviance is form of resistance against ruling class