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Crime and Deviance Studies: Sociological Perspectives

Core Concepts: Crime vs Deviance

Understanding the fundamental difference between legal breaches and social norm violations.

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Crime

Acts that break formal laws established by a society.
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Deviance

Behaviors that violate social norms or expectations but may not necessarily be illegal.

Social Construction of Definition

Context Dependency

What is considered deviant or criminal depends heavily on social context; for example, alcohol consumption is legal and normal in many countries but strictly forbidden and punishable by law in others.

This variability shows that crime and deviance are not inherent qualities of certain acts but socially defined. Homosexuality, for instance, was criminalized in the UK until the late 20th century but is now accepted legally and socially.

Explanations of Crime and Deviance

Sociologists use different lenses—structural, subcultural, and interactionist—to explain the origins of crime.

1

Structural Theories

Focus on the ways society is organized (e.g., social inequality and lack of opportunities) leading to crime.
2

Subcultural Theories

Deviant behavior arises from the values and norms of specific groups that differ from mainstream values.
3

Interactionist Theories

Focus on how crime and deviance are defined and constructed through social interactions (e.g., labelling).

Merton’s Strain Theory: Adaptations

Strain occurs when individuals cannot achieve culturally approved goals through legitimate means. Merton identified five types of adaptation to this strain:

1

Conformity

Accepting culturally approved goals and means.
2

Innovation

Accepting goals but using illegal or unaccepted means (e.g., crime).
3

Ritualism

Abandoning goals but rigidly following rules.
4

Retreatism

Rejecting both goals and means, e.g., drug addicts.
5

Rebellion

Rejecting existing goals and means, replacing them with new ones.

Becker’s Labelling Theory

Howard Becker argued that an act becomes deviant only when society labels it so, leading to significant social consequences for the individual.

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If a marginalized person is labelled 'deviant', what is the long-term impact?
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It can lead to a 'self-fulfilling prophecy' where individuals internalize the label and continue to commit deviant acts, creating a deviant identity and possibly a deviant career.

Theoretical Focus: Structure vs Interaction

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Structural/Functionalist FocusViews crime as a result of social structures, especially inequalities and pressures to achieve cultural goals.
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Interactionist FocusFocuses on the subjective nature of deviance, emphasizing how behaviors are defined and labeled, rather than the acts themselves.

Comparing Sociological Perspectives

Different theoretical frameworks offer unique interpretations of the causes and consequences of crime.

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Marxist Perspective

Argues that laws reflect the interests of the ruling class and that crime is often a response to capitalism.
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Feminist Perspective

Highlights how crime and deviance reflect gender inequalities, focusing on patriarchal norms.
Crime and Deviance Deck
Q
Crime vs Deviance

What is the difference between crime and deviance?

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Answer

Crime breaks formal laws; deviance violates social norms but may not be illegal.

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Example of Deviant but Not Criminal

Give an example of deviant but not criminal behavior.

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Answer

Dressing in an unusual way.

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Merton’s Strain Theory

What does Merton’s Strain Theory explain?

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Answer

Crime happens when people cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means.

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Five Adaptations

Name the five adaptations in Merton’s Strain Theory.

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Answer

Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion.

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Subcultural Theories

What do subcultural theories focus on?

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Answer

How groups with different values create deviant or criminal behavior.

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Becker’s Labelling Theory

What does Becker’s Labelling Theory suggest about deviance?

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Answer

An act is deviant only when labeled as such by society.

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Self-fulfilling Prophecy

What is a 'self-fulfilling prophecy' in labelling theory?

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Answer

When people internalize a deviant label and continue the behavior.

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Functionalist Perspective

How does the functionalist perspective view crime?

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Answer

As a result of social structure and inequality, partly functional for social order.

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Feminist Perspective

What does the feminist perspective emphasize in crime and deviance?

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Answer

Gender inequalities and how patriarchy shapes offending and victimization.

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Marxist Perspective

According to the Marxist perspective, what causes much working-class crime?

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Answer

Poverty and capitalist exploitation.

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🌸 Crime and Deviance Quiz

1. What best describes deviance?

Deviance includes acts outside social expectations, not just crimes.

2. Which adaptation in Merton’s Strain Theory involves rejecting both goals and means?

Retreatists reject societal goals and the means to achieve them.

3. True or False: According to Becker, deviance is an inherent quality of certain acts.

Deviance is a label applied by society, not inherent in the act.

4. Which sociological perspective highlights how ruling class interests shape laws?

Marxists argue laws favor ruling class interests, affecting crime definitions.

5. Which theory focuses on how subcultures promote deviant values?

These theories study group-based value differences supporting deviance.

📊 Results

  • Notes and Quiz
  • Sociology
  • GCSE
  • Crime and Deviance
  • AQA