Sociology Revision:
Crime and Deviance
Crime- usually associated with behaviour that breaks the formal, written
laws of a given society. Punishment more serious
Deviance- Refers to rule-breaking behaviour- fails to conform to the rules
and expectations of a particular society. More general than crime- not
controlled legally
Crime and deviance as a tool of social control:
Social control and socialisation are main processes in encouraging
people to conform to dominant social norms and values- preventing
deviance
Achieved by a range of positive and negative sanctions-which are
applied by formal agencies of social control e.g. the police and
informally e.g. the community.
Functionalist Perspective of Crime:
Functionalism is a consensus structural theory- sees sources of
crime/deviance located in structure of society.
Durkheim’s theory of crime:
Believed in modern societies there was a consensus(agreement) over
norms and values- resulted in social order and stability
Argued that crime is inevitable- individuals are exposed to different
influences and circumstances- not everyone can be equally committed
to shared values of society
Believes crime acts a threat to society- as it ‘challenges’ norms and
values- threatening consensus and social order
However- also sees some crime/deviance as beneficial and necessary-
performs positive functions in contributing to well-being of society.
Durkheim believed crime/ deviance was necessary for four main reasons:
1. By strengthening collective values- values can weaken unless
people are reminded of the boundaries between right and wrong
behaviour
2. Enabling social change- Some deviances are necessary to allow new
ideas to develop and enable society to change and progress e.g.
political activism of Nelson Mandela in South Africa
, 3. By acting as a safety valve- Deviance can act as a safety valve
releasing stresses in society e.g. mass violent protest can seen as
outlet for discontent
4. Acting as a warning device- can act like a a warning device to
demonstrate that society is not working properly e.g. suicide, school
truancy and drug addiction point underlying societal problems.
Evaluation of Durkheim:
Doesn’t look at what the actual causes of crime might be- just that it’s
functional and healthy.
Ignores class, gender and ethnicity.
Suggests crime/deviance strengthens social solidarity- overlooks how it
isolates people- women/elderly fear leaving home due to crime.
Merton’s theory of crime:
Merton believes that most people share goals e.g. financial success-
and most conform to the approved means of achieving them e.g paid
employment.
However in an unequal society not all individuals have same
opportunity of realising these goals by approved means- face a sense
of strain and anomie.
Merton argues deviance occurs when individuals find they can’t
achieve success in the normal way- ‘strain’ between the goals and
people’s abilities to achieve them.
Five adaptations to strain:
Conforming- people who still try to achieve the main cultural goals
through legitimate means.
Ritual-cannot achieve society’s goals- stopped trying- may still act
legitimately due to being used to the ritual.
Innovating- fail the standard route to success- innovate to find
alternative/deviant means of wealth e.g. crime.
Retreating- reject main cultural goals- retreat from society e.g.
dropping out of school, taking drugs.
Rebelling- instead of retreating- rebel against society and engage in
protest and revolution to change it.
Evaluation of Merton:
Fails to explain crimes committed by young people in gangs- not motivated
by material goals.
White collar and corporate crime from access to opportunities rather than
blocking them.
Subcultural theories of crime:
, Theories build on Merton’s work- but focus on positions of groups rather
than individuals- focus on explaining why young working class commit
crime
1. Status frustration (Cohen 1971)- WC suffer frustration as cannot
achieve MC norms and values- form a subculture.
Develop own set of norms and values- direct opposition to mainstream
consensus- deviant behaviour e.g. vandalising.
2. Working class delinquency (Cloward and Ohlin 1960)- argue Cohen is
over-generalising – although WC are likely to form deviant subcultures-
different groups react differently according to particular social
circumstances.
Three main types of deviant subcultures: criminal, conflict and
retreatist
3. Focal concerns (Miller 1962)- argues WC have specific focal concerns
such as masculinity, resentment for authority, immediate gratification-
these oppose value consensus of society.
WC likely to experience anomie and frustration- therefore turn to
deviancy.
Marxist Perspective of Crime:
Marxism is a conflict theory- sees sources of crime/deviance in the
structure of society- believe social inequality is driving force behind crime.
Traditional Marxist view of crime has three main elements:
1. Capitalist society is ‘criminogenic’:
Crimogenic means that crime is an ‘in-built’ and ‘natural’ result of
society- emphasises economic self-interest.
Crime is rational response to competitiveness and inequality of life in
capitalist society- profit individual gain.
David Gorden (1971) argues that capitalism is characterised by class
inequality in the distribution of wealth such as wealth, income and
poverty.
Poverty may mean crime is only way the working class can survive-
only way to obtain consumer goods.
2. The law reflects ruling class interests and ideology:
Crime and Deviance
Crime- usually associated with behaviour that breaks the formal, written
laws of a given society. Punishment more serious
Deviance- Refers to rule-breaking behaviour- fails to conform to the rules
and expectations of a particular society. More general than crime- not
controlled legally
Crime and deviance as a tool of social control:
Social control and socialisation are main processes in encouraging
people to conform to dominant social norms and values- preventing
deviance
Achieved by a range of positive and negative sanctions-which are
applied by formal agencies of social control e.g. the police and
informally e.g. the community.
Functionalist Perspective of Crime:
Functionalism is a consensus structural theory- sees sources of
crime/deviance located in structure of society.
Durkheim’s theory of crime:
Believed in modern societies there was a consensus(agreement) over
norms and values- resulted in social order and stability
Argued that crime is inevitable- individuals are exposed to different
influences and circumstances- not everyone can be equally committed
to shared values of society
Believes crime acts a threat to society- as it ‘challenges’ norms and
values- threatening consensus and social order
However- also sees some crime/deviance as beneficial and necessary-
performs positive functions in contributing to well-being of society.
Durkheim believed crime/ deviance was necessary for four main reasons:
1. By strengthening collective values- values can weaken unless
people are reminded of the boundaries between right and wrong
behaviour
2. Enabling social change- Some deviances are necessary to allow new
ideas to develop and enable society to change and progress e.g.
political activism of Nelson Mandela in South Africa
, 3. By acting as a safety valve- Deviance can act as a safety valve
releasing stresses in society e.g. mass violent protest can seen as
outlet for discontent
4. Acting as a warning device- can act like a a warning device to
demonstrate that society is not working properly e.g. suicide, school
truancy and drug addiction point underlying societal problems.
Evaluation of Durkheim:
Doesn’t look at what the actual causes of crime might be- just that it’s
functional and healthy.
Ignores class, gender and ethnicity.
Suggests crime/deviance strengthens social solidarity- overlooks how it
isolates people- women/elderly fear leaving home due to crime.
Merton’s theory of crime:
Merton believes that most people share goals e.g. financial success-
and most conform to the approved means of achieving them e.g paid
employment.
However in an unequal society not all individuals have same
opportunity of realising these goals by approved means- face a sense
of strain and anomie.
Merton argues deviance occurs when individuals find they can’t
achieve success in the normal way- ‘strain’ between the goals and
people’s abilities to achieve them.
Five adaptations to strain:
Conforming- people who still try to achieve the main cultural goals
through legitimate means.
Ritual-cannot achieve society’s goals- stopped trying- may still act
legitimately due to being used to the ritual.
Innovating- fail the standard route to success- innovate to find
alternative/deviant means of wealth e.g. crime.
Retreating- reject main cultural goals- retreat from society e.g.
dropping out of school, taking drugs.
Rebelling- instead of retreating- rebel against society and engage in
protest and revolution to change it.
Evaluation of Merton:
Fails to explain crimes committed by young people in gangs- not motivated
by material goals.
White collar and corporate crime from access to opportunities rather than
blocking them.
Subcultural theories of crime:
, Theories build on Merton’s work- but focus on positions of groups rather
than individuals- focus on explaining why young working class commit
crime
1. Status frustration (Cohen 1971)- WC suffer frustration as cannot
achieve MC norms and values- form a subculture.
Develop own set of norms and values- direct opposition to mainstream
consensus- deviant behaviour e.g. vandalising.
2. Working class delinquency (Cloward and Ohlin 1960)- argue Cohen is
over-generalising – although WC are likely to form deviant subcultures-
different groups react differently according to particular social
circumstances.
Three main types of deviant subcultures: criminal, conflict and
retreatist
3. Focal concerns (Miller 1962)- argues WC have specific focal concerns
such as masculinity, resentment for authority, immediate gratification-
these oppose value consensus of society.
WC likely to experience anomie and frustration- therefore turn to
deviancy.
Marxist Perspective of Crime:
Marxism is a conflict theory- sees sources of crime/deviance in the
structure of society- believe social inequality is driving force behind crime.
Traditional Marxist view of crime has three main elements:
1. Capitalist society is ‘criminogenic’:
Crimogenic means that crime is an ‘in-built’ and ‘natural’ result of
society- emphasises economic self-interest.
Crime is rational response to competitiveness and inequality of life in
capitalist society- profit individual gain.
David Gorden (1971) argues that capitalism is characterised by class
inequality in the distribution of wealth such as wealth, income and
poverty.
Poverty may mean crime is only way the working class can survive-
only way to obtain consumer goods.
2. The law reflects ruling class interests and ideology:
