OCR A Level Sociology Paper 3 - Crime and
Deviance Exam Questions and Answers
1. Crime and deviance definitions correct answer: Crime - refers to activities that break the
law of a particular country
-what constitutes a crime can change as new laws are created (e.g., using a mobile whilst driving)
Deviance - behaviour that goes against the norms of a society, meaning it's usually viewed as 'wrong' -
not all deviance is criminal but most crimes are seen as deviant.
Social order - state of social stability and social solidarity that characterises most modern societies -
derives from the fact that citizens generally agree on and share similar values, morals and norms and
are well integrated into society. Social control - the need tor regulate behaviour of citizens of a society
in order to make sure they conform t laws and norms so social order is not threatened. Two forms of
social control correct answer: formal and informal.
2. Police recorded crime figures correct answer: Some sociologists find the police recorded
crime figures useful in
identifying trends and patterns in criminal activity, particularly in regard to correct answer:
-the volume of crime
-types of crime committed
-trends in crime (increases and decreases over time)
-the social characteristics of criminals
-the ettectiveness of laws and anti-crime policies
These figures tend to be used, particularly as a starting point, for developing explanations of patterns of
criminality.
3. Police recorded crime - evaluation correct answer: Supplied by the Oflce of
National Statistics (OCS)
+ They are easy to access and have already been compiled
+ They are up to date and standardised
+ They cover the whole population and go back many years - patterns and trends can be identified.
-Do not cover undetected or unreported crimes - the dark figure of crime.
-They don't provide a complete picture of the crime (e.g., background information on people involved)
-Pressure on the police for crime reduction may mean some crimes 'disappear' from the figures or being
, downgraded.
-Question the validity - Marxists and interactionists see crime figures as a social construction rather than
objective facts, so don't reflect crime itself.
-The police stereotype certain groups (e.g., more likely to target young black working class boys)
4. Sociological views on police statistics correct answer: Functionalists correct
answer: Believe in social facts and measuring social behaviour scientifically. Believe there is a
value consensus, so would see the police as representing all of us and not question their motives. Most
functionalists use the 'typical criminal' (young working class male) to explain crime as a starting point
New Right/Right Realism correct answer: Accept the 'typical criminal' as they believe laws are made for the
benefit of society and applied
,equally, as the police represent the interests of society. They explain criminality through the underclass as
statistics suggest this is who commits the most crime.
Left Realists correct answer: Recognise statistics aren't perfect, but shouldn't be dismissed as they're about
real crimes. Statistics should be supplemented by other methods, such as victim surveys.
Feminists correct answer: Accept that women commit significantly less crime than men and try to explain
why (such as through social control).
Marxists correct answer: See statistics as a tool to control the working class and justify their control and
oppression. They're used for fearmongering.
Interactionists correct answer: Focus on social construction of statistics, paying attention to labelling and
consequences of interactions between powerless groups and the courts.
Radical criminologists correct answer: Combine Marxism and Interactionism - focus on power of police to
label for political reasons. Such ideas have been used to challenge the over-representation of ethnic
minority groups in statistics.
5. Measuring Crime correct answer: Victim surveys correct answer:
Asked about crimes they've been a victim of - likely to include crimes not reported to the police. CSEW
(Crime Survey for England and Wales) is an example. Carried out since 1982, annually since 2001.
Nowadays, individuals aged 10-18 are also included in the surveys. 35,000 adults and 3,000 children
respond every year. Respondents interviewed in own home with structured questionnaires - asked
about property or personal crimes. CSEW suggests that crime is much higher than statistics suggest.
Limitations correct answer:
-Victimless crimes (fare evasion/shoplifting) are not included.
-Only a sample, so may not be representative and rare crimes may not be included.
-Response rate is about 75% missing
important data. General strengths/limitations
of victim surveys correct answer:
+ Include the dark figure of crime
+ Cover new and emerging crimes (e.g., online crimes)
+ Useful at identifying groups most at risk of being victims of crime.
-Tells us very little about the experiences of crime
-Issues with accuracy - some people may get timeframe wrong or withhold the truth for various reasons.
, Issues with self-report studies
correct answer: Validity,
Attrition, Ethics.
Deviance Exam Questions and Answers
1. Crime and deviance definitions correct answer: Crime - refers to activities that break the
law of a particular country
-what constitutes a crime can change as new laws are created (e.g., using a mobile whilst driving)
Deviance - behaviour that goes against the norms of a society, meaning it's usually viewed as 'wrong' -
not all deviance is criminal but most crimes are seen as deviant.
Social order - state of social stability and social solidarity that characterises most modern societies -
derives from the fact that citizens generally agree on and share similar values, morals and norms and
are well integrated into society. Social control - the need tor regulate behaviour of citizens of a society
in order to make sure they conform t laws and norms so social order is not threatened. Two forms of
social control correct answer: formal and informal.
2. Police recorded crime figures correct answer: Some sociologists find the police recorded
crime figures useful in
identifying trends and patterns in criminal activity, particularly in regard to correct answer:
-the volume of crime
-types of crime committed
-trends in crime (increases and decreases over time)
-the social characteristics of criminals
-the ettectiveness of laws and anti-crime policies
These figures tend to be used, particularly as a starting point, for developing explanations of patterns of
criminality.
3. Police recorded crime - evaluation correct answer: Supplied by the Oflce of
National Statistics (OCS)
+ They are easy to access and have already been compiled
+ They are up to date and standardised
+ They cover the whole population and go back many years - patterns and trends can be identified.
-Do not cover undetected or unreported crimes - the dark figure of crime.
-They don't provide a complete picture of the crime (e.g., background information on people involved)
-Pressure on the police for crime reduction may mean some crimes 'disappear' from the figures or being
, downgraded.
-Question the validity - Marxists and interactionists see crime figures as a social construction rather than
objective facts, so don't reflect crime itself.
-The police stereotype certain groups (e.g., more likely to target young black working class boys)
4. Sociological views on police statistics correct answer: Functionalists correct
answer: Believe in social facts and measuring social behaviour scientifically. Believe there is a
value consensus, so would see the police as representing all of us and not question their motives. Most
functionalists use the 'typical criminal' (young working class male) to explain crime as a starting point
New Right/Right Realism correct answer: Accept the 'typical criminal' as they believe laws are made for the
benefit of society and applied
,equally, as the police represent the interests of society. They explain criminality through the underclass as
statistics suggest this is who commits the most crime.
Left Realists correct answer: Recognise statistics aren't perfect, but shouldn't be dismissed as they're about
real crimes. Statistics should be supplemented by other methods, such as victim surveys.
Feminists correct answer: Accept that women commit significantly less crime than men and try to explain
why (such as through social control).
Marxists correct answer: See statistics as a tool to control the working class and justify their control and
oppression. They're used for fearmongering.
Interactionists correct answer: Focus on social construction of statistics, paying attention to labelling and
consequences of interactions between powerless groups and the courts.
Radical criminologists correct answer: Combine Marxism and Interactionism - focus on power of police to
label for political reasons. Such ideas have been used to challenge the over-representation of ethnic
minority groups in statistics.
5. Measuring Crime correct answer: Victim surveys correct answer:
Asked about crimes they've been a victim of - likely to include crimes not reported to the police. CSEW
(Crime Survey for England and Wales) is an example. Carried out since 1982, annually since 2001.
Nowadays, individuals aged 10-18 are also included in the surveys. 35,000 adults and 3,000 children
respond every year. Respondents interviewed in own home with structured questionnaires - asked
about property or personal crimes. CSEW suggests that crime is much higher than statistics suggest.
Limitations correct answer:
-Victimless crimes (fare evasion/shoplifting) are not included.
-Only a sample, so may not be representative and rare crimes may not be included.
-Response rate is about 75% missing
important data. General strengths/limitations
of victim surveys correct answer:
+ Include the dark figure of crime
+ Cover new and emerging crimes (e.g., online crimes)
+ Useful at identifying groups most at risk of being victims of crime.
-Tells us very little about the experiences of crime
-Issues with accuracy - some people may get timeframe wrong or withhold the truth for various reasons.
, Issues with self-report studies
correct answer: Validity,
Attrition, Ethics.
