Crime and deviance
Each heading in bold is a separate sociological theory
SKIP TO “NOTES START HERE” IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ
THE TIPS BELOW
Remember you do not need to use every single point from
each section as it may be hard to remember or time
consuming write all of them in one question.
You do not need to remember names of sociologists who
gave explanations, you can just say ‘some sociologists
suggest…’ etc. remember only important ones such as
Durkheim and Marx
You may only need about 2/3 evaluations, one per paragraph
in 30 and 20 mark questions. Always include an opposing
view (at least 1 or 2 paragraphs)
SKIP the introduction in 20/30 mark questions but always
mention a conclusion. An introduction doesn’t give you high
band marks – the conclusion does! Skipping the introduction
may save you a few minutes to write in other questions or
write your conclusion
Notes start here
Functionalism:
- Crime and deviance is inevitable
- It’s necessary for society to function
, - Helps maintain social order by reinforcing societal norms eg we collectively agree
murder is wrong
- This promotes social cohesion
Durkheim:
- Crime maintains social order by reinforcing societal norms
- This promotes social cohesion
- Not everyone conforms to social norms so deviance helps clarify the boundaries of
accepted behaviour
Merton:
- Crime happens due to experiencing strain theory
- Strain theory: societal structure create pressure on individuals to engage in deviant
behaviour when they’re unable to achieve something eg money, success or/and
status through legitimate means
Criticisms:
- Justifies existing social order
- Deterministic – says people are simply products of societal structures
- Marxist critique – laws are not based on the collective conscious to maintain social
cohesion and order, they are based on ideas to benefit the dominant class
Marxism:
- Crime is a product of capitalism/capitalist society/capitalist structures driven by
inequality and exploitation
- The working class is marginalised and alienated due to capitalism so resort to crime
as a way of rebellion/survival
- Crime becomes a response to exploitation and a means of achieving material desires
promoted by capitalism
- The legal system/criminal justice system serve the interests of the ruling class and
target the lower classes while ignoring ruling class crimes eg state crime
- Capitalism is criminogenic – creates conditions for crime to flourish
- Capitalism is a system that exploits the working class which leads to poverty and
economic hardship which may drive them to turn to crime to survive or acquire
goods
- Capitalism promotes a consumerist culture where people are encouraged to desire
material possessions – can lead to frustration and desire to obtain goods, turning to
crime as a way to acquire these
- Laws favour the interests of the dominant class and punishing the poor
Each heading in bold is a separate sociological theory
SKIP TO “NOTES START HERE” IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ
THE TIPS BELOW
Remember you do not need to use every single point from
each section as it may be hard to remember or time
consuming write all of them in one question.
You do not need to remember names of sociologists who
gave explanations, you can just say ‘some sociologists
suggest…’ etc. remember only important ones such as
Durkheim and Marx
You may only need about 2/3 evaluations, one per paragraph
in 30 and 20 mark questions. Always include an opposing
view (at least 1 or 2 paragraphs)
SKIP the introduction in 20/30 mark questions but always
mention a conclusion. An introduction doesn’t give you high
band marks – the conclusion does! Skipping the introduction
may save you a few minutes to write in other questions or
write your conclusion
Notes start here
Functionalism:
- Crime and deviance is inevitable
- It’s necessary for society to function
, - Helps maintain social order by reinforcing societal norms eg we collectively agree
murder is wrong
- This promotes social cohesion
Durkheim:
- Crime maintains social order by reinforcing societal norms
- This promotes social cohesion
- Not everyone conforms to social norms so deviance helps clarify the boundaries of
accepted behaviour
Merton:
- Crime happens due to experiencing strain theory
- Strain theory: societal structure create pressure on individuals to engage in deviant
behaviour when they’re unable to achieve something eg money, success or/and
status through legitimate means
Criticisms:
- Justifies existing social order
- Deterministic – says people are simply products of societal structures
- Marxist critique – laws are not based on the collective conscious to maintain social
cohesion and order, they are based on ideas to benefit the dominant class
Marxism:
- Crime is a product of capitalism/capitalist society/capitalist structures driven by
inequality and exploitation
- The working class is marginalised and alienated due to capitalism so resort to crime
as a way of rebellion/survival
- Crime becomes a response to exploitation and a means of achieving material desires
promoted by capitalism
- The legal system/criminal justice system serve the interests of the ruling class and
target the lower classes while ignoring ruling class crimes eg state crime
- Capitalism is criminogenic – creates conditions for crime to flourish
- Capitalism is a system that exploits the working class which leads to poverty and
economic hardship which may drive them to turn to crime to survive or acquire
goods
- Capitalism promotes a consumerist culture where people are encouraged to desire
material possessions – can lead to frustration and desire to obtain goods, turning to
crime as a way to acquire these
- Laws favour the interests of the dominant class and punishing the poor
