Crime and Deviance Quiz

Crime is typically defined as actions or behaviours that break the formal laws of society and are punishable by legal sanctions. It can involve both individual and collective acts that challenge the existing legal framework, such as theft, murder, or fraud. Sociologists also consider how crime is socially constructed, meaning that what is considered "criminal" may vary depending on time, place, and the social norms of a particular society.

Deviance refers to behaviour that goes against societal norms or expectations, but unlike crime, it may not necessarily break the law. For example, unconventional clothing choices or unconventional lifestyles may be considered deviant but not criminal. Crime is a specific form of deviance that involves breaking formal laws and being subject to legal penalties.

Social order refers to the structured and predictable arrangement of social relationships and institutions that maintain stability in society. It is maintained through mechanisms such as laws, norms, values, and socialisation. Social control agents such as the police, courts, and educational institutions also play a role in ensuring compliance with societal norms.

Social control refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that regulate individual behaviour and encourage conformity to social norms. It can be formal (e.g., laws, police) or informal (e.g., family, peer pressure). It is crucial for maintaining social order as it helps prevent chaos, ensures predictability, and promotes cohesion within society.

The relativity of crime and deviance refers to the idea that what is considered criminal or deviant can vary across different societies, cultures, and historical periods. For instance, behaviours that were once deemed criminal may not be today, or vice versa. This also includes how different social groups within the same society may define deviance differently, based on their cultural, political, or moral outlook.

Crime can be measured using several methods:

• Official crime statistics: These are collected by the police and government agencies, typically based on reported crimes. However, they may be influenced by factors like under-reporting or changes in law enforcement practices.
• Victim surveys: These surveys ask individuals about their experiences with crime, whether or not they reported it. They provide insights into unreported crimes but may not capture all types of crime.
• Self-report studies: These involve asking individuals to disclose any crimes they may have committed. These studies can provide a more accurate picture of crime but may suffer from issues such as dishonesty or recall bias.

Each of these methods has its strengths and weaknesses, and sociologists often use them in combination to provide a more comprehensive view of crime.

Advantages:

• They provide a large, consistent dataset, which allows for longitudinal comparisons and the identification of trends in crime.
• They are easily accessible and can be used to inform government policy and social services.

Disadvantages:

• They may under-represent the actual level of crime due to under-reporting or certain types of crimes being less likely to be recorded (e.g., domestic violence).
• They can be influenced by changes in police priorities, legal definitions of crime, or the criminal justice system’s practices.

Social class has a significant impact on crime rates. Those from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in certain types of crime, particularly property crime and violent crime. This is often explained by structural factors such as poverty, lack of education, and limited access to legitimate opportunities. However, the relationship between class and crime is complex, and some sociologists argue that crime is not exclusively linked to poverty, but to broader social inequalities.

Gender plays a crucial role in crime patterns. Males are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, especially violent crimes, than females. This is often explained by socialisation processes that encourage men to be more assertive, competitive, and risk-taking. Women are more likely to be involved in non-violent crimes such as shoplifting. Feminist perspectives also highlight how gender roles and expectations contribute to female criminality and victimisation.

Young people, particularly teenagers and those in their early twenties, are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, with a peak in offending during adolescence. This may be due to factors like peer pressure, risk-taking behaviour, and limited social control. However, as individuals age and assume adult responsibilities, the likelihood of engaging in crime typically decreases. Life-course criminology focuses on how criminal behaviour evolves over the course of an individual’s life.

Global organised crime refers to criminal networks and activities that span multiple countries, such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering. These crimes are often more sophisticated, involve transnational actors, and require international cooperation to tackle. In contrast, local crime tends to be confined to specific communities and is often less complex, such as petty theft or vandalism.

Green crime refers to illegal activities that harm the environment, such as illegal logging, pollution, poaching, and deforestation. It challenges the traditional boundaries of crime, as it often involves actions that do not directly harm individuals but have long-term negative effects on ecosystems and biodiversity. Green crime is seen as a global issue that requires international cooperation to address.

Functionalists, such as Emile Durkheim, argue that crime and deviance are a natural and necessary part of society. They believe that crime can promote social cohesion by defining acceptable behaviour and reinforcing shared norms. Furthermore, deviance can lead to social change by challenging outdated norms and encouraging reform. Durkheim’s concept of "anomie" also suggests that crime increases during periods of social instability or breakdown.

Marxists argue that crime is a result of the inequalities inherent in capitalist societies. They believe that the ruling class uses the law and legal institutions to maintain their power and control, while the working class is criminalised for engaging in acts that threaten the capitalist system, such as theft or protest. Marxists also view crime as a form of resistance against the oppression and exploitation experienced by the working class.

Left-wing approaches tend to focus on addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality. They support measures such as social crime prevention, restorative justice, and structural changes to society to reduce crime. Right-wing approaches, on the other hand, are more focused on punitive measures, such as retributive justice, environmental crime prevention (e.g., increased surveillance), and harsher punishments to deter criminal behaviour.