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Crime and Deviance Flashcards
Free A Level Sociology Revision Cards on Flashcard Maker
From Durkheim and Merton's strain theory to labelling, Left and Right Realism, and the social construction of crime statistics, these free Sociology flashcards cover Crime and Deviance for A Level.
Question
What is the difference between crime and deviance?
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Answer
Crime is behaviour that breaks the law (formal norms) and is punishable by the state. Deviance is behaviour that breaks social norms but may not be illegal (e.g. rudeness, unusual dress).
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Question
What is the functionalist view of crime?
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Answer
Durkheim: crime is normal and functional in society. It reinforces shared values (punishment reinforces boundaries), enables social change (norm-challenging behaviour can evolve into accepted norms), and promotes social solidarity.
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Question
What is Merton's strain theory?
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Answer
Americans are socialised to pursue wealth/success (the American Dream) but unequal access to legitimate means creates "strain." People adapt by conformity, innovation (crime), ritualism, retreatism, or rebellion.
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Question
What is the Marxist view of crime?
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Answer
Laws serve ruling class interests — they protect private property and criminalise working-class behaviour. White-collar/corporate crime is under-policed. Capitalism creates inequality that drives crime.
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Question
What is the interactionist view of crime?
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Answer
Focuses on how crime is socially constructed. Becker: deviance is not inherent — it depends on whether others label an act as deviant. The label shapes identity and future behaviour (self-fulfilling prophecy).
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Question
What is labelling theory and who developed it?
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Answer
Howard Becker (1963): deviance is created by societal reaction. Being labelled "criminal" or "deviant" can lead to a deviant career as the person internalises the label and is pushed into criminal subcultures.
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Question
What is the "dark figure" of crime?
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Answer
The gap between the actual amount of crime and the amount recorded in official statistics. Much crime goes unreported (shame, distrust of police) or unrecorded (police discretion, classification decisions).
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Question
What are the main problems with official crime statistics?
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Answer
Not all crime is reported; not all reported crime is recorded; definitions of crime change; police recording practices vary; and they reflect police priorities rather than the true extent of crime.
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Question
What are victim surveys and what do they reveal?
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Answer
Surveys asking people what crimes they have experienced (e.g. Crime Survey for England and Wales). Reveal a much higher crime rate than official statistics — capturing unreported crime.
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Question
What is the feminist perspective on crime?
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Answer
Criminology has been "malestream" — focused on male offenders and victims. Women's crime is underreported (especially domestic violence, sexual assault). Patriarchy shapes both female victimisation and the criminal justice system's responses.
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