Topic 2 –
Interactionism &
Labeling
,Definitions of crime and deviance
• CRIME : Anything you do that breaks the laws of society and is
punishable by the legal system.
• DEVIANCE: Behaviour which goes against the norms, values and
expectations of a society.
, What acts can be considered…
Criminal Act Not a criminal act
Deviant act • Murder • Public nudity
• Stealing • Murder in times of war
• Kidnap • (before 1991) marital rape
• Rape • Suicide
• (as of 2015) Revenge porn • Swearing
• Major speeding • Que cutting/jumping
Not a deviant act • Minor speeding • Socially acceptable law abid
• Underage drinking behaviour.
• Illegal downloads & streaming
• Murder in self-defence
• Minor thieft from a company
Interactionism &
Labeling
,Definitions of crime and deviance
• CRIME : Anything you do that breaks the laws of society and is
punishable by the legal system.
• DEVIANCE: Behaviour which goes against the norms, values and
expectations of a society.
, What acts can be considered…
Criminal Act Not a criminal act
Deviant act • Murder • Public nudity
• Stealing • Murder in times of war
• Kidnap • (before 1991) marital rape
• Rape • Suicide
• (as of 2015) Revenge porn • Swearing
• Major speeding • Que cutting/jumping
Not a deviant act • Minor speeding • Socially acceptable law abid
• Underage drinking behaviour.
• Illegal downloads & streaming
• Murder in self-defence
• Minor thieft from a company
