Clever Grades

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Definitions of Crime and Deviance

Fundamental Concepts

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Crime

Behaviours that violate laws established by a given society and are punishable by formal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment.
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Deviance

Behaviour or actions that violate social norms or expectations, which may or may not be criminal.
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Codified

Crime is often codified (defined by law).
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Relativity

Crime and deviance are socially constructed and vary over time and across societies.

Relativity of Definition

Relativity of Crime and Deviance

Crime and deviance are not inherent in acts but depend on society’s definitions and reactions, making them social constructs. We will focus on how these definitions change historically, culturally, and situationally.

Relativity Examples

1

Historical Changes

What counts as crime changes historically: homosexuality was once criminal but is now legal.
2

Cultural Variation

Deviance depends on cultural norms; e.g., in some cultures, cheek kissing is normal, but considered deviant in others.
3

Situational Factors

Situational factors may influence whether an act is considered deviant or criminal (e.g., self-defence, protest acts).

Social Construction Factors

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Cultural Differences

Different cultures criminalise different behaviours.
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Selective Application

Authorities apply laws selectively based on power relations.
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Media Portrayal

Labels and media portrayal influence public perception of crime.

Official Crime Statistics

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AdvantagesOffer longitudinal data and official counts that allow comparisons over time and between areas.
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DisadvantagesSuffers from the “dark figure” of crime. Police discretion and “cuffing and coughing” (manipulation of statistics) can undermine reliability.

Victim Surveys (CSEW)

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AdvantagesCapture the dark figure of crime and provide insight into the victim perspective.
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DisadvantagesRelies on respondents' memory and honesty, limited by non-participation, and only covers victim-based crime.

Self-Report Studies

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AdvantagesReveal hidden offending behaviour unknown to authorities; useful for understanding patterns and causes.
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DisadvantagesLimited by honesty, sampling bias (often school-based populations), and focus on minor crimes.

Measurement Conclusion

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Summary of Issues: Measuring crime and deviance is challenging due to under-reporting, selective enforcement, and definitional differences. Sociologists must use multiple methods to obtain a more complete understanding, recognising the limitations and biases of each source.

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Crime and Deviance Definitions Deck
Term
Legal Definition of Crime

What is the legal definition of crime?

Answer
Definition

Behaviours that violate laws and are punishable by formal sanctions like fines or imprisonment.

Term
Difference between Crime and Deviance

How does deviance differ from crime?

Answer
Definition

Deviance involves violating social norms, not necessarily laws, and can include non-criminal behaviours.

Term
Changing Definitions of Crime

Can what is considered a crime change over time?

Answer
Explanation

Yes, crime definitions vary historically and socially (e.g., homosexuality was once illegal).

Term
Social Construction of Crime and Deviance

What does it mean that crime and deviance are socially constructed?

Answer
Explanation

Their definitions depend on societal norms, culture, power relations, and reactions.

Term
Measuring Crime

Name one method of measuring crime in the UK.

Answer
Examples

Official Crime Statistics, Victim Surveys, or Self-Report Studies.

Term
'Dark Figure' of Crime

What is the "dark figure" of crime?

Answer
Explanation

Crimes that go unreported or unrecorded by police.

Term
Victim Surveys Advantage

What is an advantage of victim surveys like the CSEW?

Answer
Explanation

They capture crimes not reported to police, revealing victim perspectives.

Term
Limitation of Self-Report Studies

What is a limitation of self-report studies?

Answer
Explanation

Honesty concerns and sampling bias, often focusing on minor offences.

Term
Police Recorded Crime Data Reliability

Why might police recorded crime data be unreliable?

Answer
Explanation

Due to selective enforcement, police discretion, and possible political pressure.

Term
Example of Non-Criminal Deviance

Give an example of deviant behaviour that is not criminal.

Answer
Examples

Wearing unusual clothing or rebellious acts against social norms.

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🌸 Definitions of Crime and Deviance Quiz

1. Which of the following best defines crime?

Crime involves violations of codified laws subject to legal penalties.

2. Deviance differs from crime because:

Deviance covers wider behaviours, not all criminal.

3. What does the “dark figure” of crime refer to?

These crimes are missing from official statistics.

4. Which measurement method collects data by asking individuals to reveal their own illegal activities anonymously?

Self-report studies rely on individuals voluntarily disclosing their offending.

5. Why can crime definitions vary between cultures?

Crime and deviance are socially constructed.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Sociology
  • A Level
  • Crime and Deviance
  • OCR