1. Describe functionalist’s theory of criminality [6 marks]
Functionalists believe in determinism and believe that crime is inevitable because some
individuals are inadequately socialised and share different norms and values so are likely to
deviate. Society contains many social groups with different norms and values so when
values become less clear, society becomes in a state of ‘anomie’. Functionalists believe that
crime has 4 functions: boundary maintenance - when a dire crime is committed, the reaction
it causes, reminds us of our shared norms and values; safety valve - petty crimes are a way
of letting out frustration to prevent bigger crimes from happening; warning light - too much
crime is a sign that something in society is wrong; social change - in order for society to
change and evolve, their actions will be seen as deviant at first. Crime is dysfunctional when
there is too much or too little crime. If there is too much crime, it means that there is
something wrong in society, whereas if there is too little crime, society is not evolving and
there is no social change.
2. In 1967 homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, and the age of
consent for homosexuals was 21 years. The age of consent was later lowered to 18
by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and finally to 16 years by the
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000. Groups such as Stonewall and OutRage!
Campaigned for equal rights for same sex couples and civil partnerships were
permitted in 2004. Finally, the law allowed same sex marriage in 2014.
(a) Explain, with examples what is meant by the term ‘decriminalisation’ [4 marks]
Decriminalisation is a process in which society refuses to accept an action as criminal. Often
a reduction in punishment is seen or police are reluctant to enforce it. Laws are frequently
amended because they can't be enforced. One example of decriminalisation is
homosexuality, which was once a criminal offence but is now legal.
3. Paul, an unemployed local man, was convicted of murder after getting into a fight
with Ian over an allegation of theft of money. Paul also has numerous previous convictions
for drug dealing and theft. He has been in care since the age of 7, after his parents were
given long custodial sentences. Ian’s father, a local barrister, has started a campaign to
bring back capital punishments for crimes of murder. His campaign has attracted the
attention of local media and politicians.
(a) Briefly explain how one type of media might be used by Ian’s father to promote his
campaign to bring back capital punishment. [2 marks]
He may decide to use social networking, like creating a dedicated website to post
information about the campaign.
(b) Explain how campaigns such as reinstating capital punishment might influence
policy making. [5 marks]
One example of campaigns that have influenced policy development are newspaper
campaigns, specifically Sarah’s law. Sarah’s law was a campaign started by Sarah’s mother
after she was murdered by a neighbour who was a convicted child sex offender. The
, campaign was featured in the News of the World newspaper which threatened to expose
every pedophil in Britian until the law is made. Eventually this led to the creation of the Child
Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme being introduced in 2003.
(c) Evaluate two campaign methods that may be used to campaign for change [8
marks]
One campaigning method that may be used for campaigning is social networking. One
example of a campaign that used social media was the #MeToo campaign, which was
started by Alyssa Milano’s viral tweet which popularised the hashtag. Social networking is a
great way of communicating with a larger audience but it might be inaccessible to older
audiences.
Another method that may be used for campaigning is merchandise.For example, the
"Choose Love" campaign by Help Refugees sold branded t-shirts and hoodies to raise
awareness and funds for refugees. One strength of merchandise is that it can raise money
quickly for your campaign, however it may be difficult to design and produce fashionable
merchandise.
In conclusion, these campaigning methods are strong as they have been used for successful
campaigns.
(d) Describe any one individualistic theory of criminality [6 marks]
One individualistic theory of criminality is Bandura’s social learning theory. Bandura’s theory
claims that we learn our behaviours from observation and imitation of our role model’s. A
model is typically someone of the same sex and a higher status (for example older or richer).
When we observe our model commit a crime and get rewarded for it, we are more likely to
imitate that action. However, if we observe our model commit a crime and get punished we
are less likely to imitate that action. This is a process called vicarious reinforcement. This is
how Bandura’s social learning theory can be applied to criminality.
(ii) Analyse how the theory described above can be applied to Paul’s situation. [5
marks]
A Theory that can be applied to Paul’s criminality is Bandura’s social learning theory. Paul’s
parents were given long custodial sentences, therefore Oaul most likely observed his father
committing crimes and getting away with them until the age of 7. Additionally when he was
put in care, he may have also had a criminal role model whom he observed. Paul has
multiple convictions for drug dealing and theft, therefore he may have learnt those actions
from observing his parents, proving Bandura’s social learning theory.
4. Grantville, a small rural town, wawa once a pleasant place to live. However, over the
last 10 years, crime has steadily increased. Offences such as prostitution, vagrancy,
possession of cannabis and motoring offences such as speeding are now commonplace.
Residents often do not report criminal acts. The local newspaper often reports stories
about crime in the town and recently publish the following headline:
Functionalists believe in determinism and believe that crime is inevitable because some
individuals are inadequately socialised and share different norms and values so are likely to
deviate. Society contains many social groups with different norms and values so when
values become less clear, society becomes in a state of ‘anomie’. Functionalists believe that
crime has 4 functions: boundary maintenance - when a dire crime is committed, the reaction
it causes, reminds us of our shared norms and values; safety valve - petty crimes are a way
of letting out frustration to prevent bigger crimes from happening; warning light - too much
crime is a sign that something in society is wrong; social change - in order for society to
change and evolve, their actions will be seen as deviant at first. Crime is dysfunctional when
there is too much or too little crime. If there is too much crime, it means that there is
something wrong in society, whereas if there is too little crime, society is not evolving and
there is no social change.
2. In 1967 homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, and the age of
consent for homosexuals was 21 years. The age of consent was later lowered to 18
by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and finally to 16 years by the
Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000. Groups such as Stonewall and OutRage!
Campaigned for equal rights for same sex couples and civil partnerships were
permitted in 2004. Finally, the law allowed same sex marriage in 2014.
(a) Explain, with examples what is meant by the term ‘decriminalisation’ [4 marks]
Decriminalisation is a process in which society refuses to accept an action as criminal. Often
a reduction in punishment is seen or police are reluctant to enforce it. Laws are frequently
amended because they can't be enforced. One example of decriminalisation is
homosexuality, which was once a criminal offence but is now legal.
3. Paul, an unemployed local man, was convicted of murder after getting into a fight
with Ian over an allegation of theft of money. Paul also has numerous previous convictions
for drug dealing and theft. He has been in care since the age of 7, after his parents were
given long custodial sentences. Ian’s father, a local barrister, has started a campaign to
bring back capital punishments for crimes of murder. His campaign has attracted the
attention of local media and politicians.
(a) Briefly explain how one type of media might be used by Ian’s father to promote his
campaign to bring back capital punishment. [2 marks]
He may decide to use social networking, like creating a dedicated website to post
information about the campaign.
(b) Explain how campaigns such as reinstating capital punishment might influence
policy making. [5 marks]
One example of campaigns that have influenced policy development are newspaper
campaigns, specifically Sarah’s law. Sarah’s law was a campaign started by Sarah’s mother
after she was murdered by a neighbour who was a convicted child sex offender. The
, campaign was featured in the News of the World newspaper which threatened to expose
every pedophil in Britian until the law is made. Eventually this led to the creation of the Child
Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme being introduced in 2003.
(c) Evaluate two campaign methods that may be used to campaign for change [8
marks]
One campaigning method that may be used for campaigning is social networking. One
example of a campaign that used social media was the #MeToo campaign, which was
started by Alyssa Milano’s viral tweet which popularised the hashtag. Social networking is a
great way of communicating with a larger audience but it might be inaccessible to older
audiences.
Another method that may be used for campaigning is merchandise.For example, the
"Choose Love" campaign by Help Refugees sold branded t-shirts and hoodies to raise
awareness and funds for refugees. One strength of merchandise is that it can raise money
quickly for your campaign, however it may be difficult to design and produce fashionable
merchandise.
In conclusion, these campaigning methods are strong as they have been used for successful
campaigns.
(d) Describe any one individualistic theory of criminality [6 marks]
One individualistic theory of criminality is Bandura’s social learning theory. Bandura’s theory
claims that we learn our behaviours from observation and imitation of our role model’s. A
model is typically someone of the same sex and a higher status (for example older or richer).
When we observe our model commit a crime and get rewarded for it, we are more likely to
imitate that action. However, if we observe our model commit a crime and get punished we
are less likely to imitate that action. This is a process called vicarious reinforcement. This is
how Bandura’s social learning theory can be applied to criminality.
(ii) Analyse how the theory described above can be applied to Paul’s situation. [5
marks]
A Theory that can be applied to Paul’s criminality is Bandura’s social learning theory. Paul’s
parents were given long custodial sentences, therefore Oaul most likely observed his father
committing crimes and getting away with them until the age of 7. Additionally when he was
put in care, he may have also had a criminal role model whom he observed. Paul has
multiple convictions for drug dealing and theft, therefore he may have learnt those actions
from observing his parents, proving Bandura’s social learning theory.
4. Grantville, a small rural town, wawa once a pleasant place to live. However, over the
last 10 years, crime has steadily increased. Offences such as prostitution, vagrancy,
possession of cannabis and motoring offences such as speeding are now commonplace.
Residents often do not report criminal acts. The local newspaper often reports stories
about crime in the town and recently publish the following headline:
