Crime and Deviance in AQA GCSE Sociology

Introduction

• This lecture covers the crime and deviance section for AQA GCSE Sociology.
• Key to understanding is making notes, engaging with multiple-choice questions, and attending tutorials.

Lesson 1: The Social Construction of Crime and Deviance

• Definitions:
  • Crime: Breaking a formal written rule in society (e.g., murder).
  • Deviance: Behavior not conforming to societal norms (e.g., talking with mouth full).
• Social Construction:
  • Definitions of criminal and deviant behavior are shaped by societal norms, values, and power dynamics.
  • These definitions vary across different cultures, time periods, and social groups.
• Examples:
  1. Time: Changes over time (e.g., homosexuality was once criminal).
  2. Place: Varies by location (e.g., killing in war is not criminal).
  3. Culture: Cultural differences (e.g., eating with left hand).
  4. Social Situation: Acceptable behaviors vary by context (e.g., drinking at 8 a.m.).

Lesson 2: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance

• Anomie: Lack of clear norms leading to increased crime.
• Labeling Theory: Deviance created by societal reaction.
• Structural Theories: Focus on social and economic inequality.
• Subcultural Theories: Deviance results from identifying with deviant subcultures.
• Interactionist Theory: Importance of social interactions in shaping deviance.

Lesson 3: Functionalists' View

• Crime serves to define and reinforce social norms.
• Society needs some deviance for functioning.
• Merton's Anomie Theory: Disconnection between societal goals and means leads to crime.

Lesson 4: Marxists' Perspective

• Crime results from capitalist societies.
• The criminal justice system maintains ruling class power.
• Criminogenic Values: Capitalism promotes greed and crime.

Lesson 5: Feminists' Perspective

• Crime shaped by gender power dynamics.
• Criminal justice system often biases against women.
• Heidensohn's Ideas: Women controlled socially, impacting crime involvement.

Lesson 6: Interactionists' View

• Crime as a result of societal reactions and labels.
• Becker's Labeling Theory: Labeling leads to self-fulfilling prophecies.

Lesson 7: Social Control

• Formal Methods: Laws, regulations enforced by state.
• Informal Methods: Social norms, customs enforced by society.
• Different perspectives on social control: Functionalist, Marxist, Feminist, Interactionist.

Lesson 8: Patterns in Criminal Behavior - Social Class

• Lower socioeconomic backgrounds have higher crime rates.
• Theories:
  • Poor Socialization: Lack of societal norms.
  • Strain Theory: Limited access to societal means.
  • Status Frustration: Rejection of middle-class values.

Lesson 9: Patterns in Criminal Behavior - Gender

• Men more involved in crime due to traditional roles.
• Theories:
  • Gender Role Socialization: Different socialization leads to different crimes.
  • Control of Women: Societal control reduces crime.
  • Labeling: Different societal expectations for women.

Lesson 10: Patterns in Criminal Behavior - Ethnicity

• Higher crime rates in certain ethnic backgrounds due to discrimination and poverty.
• Theories:
  • Racism: Institutional biases.
  • Labeling: Targeting certain ethnic groups.
  • Strain: Barriers leading to criminal behavior.

Lesson 11: Patterns in Criminal Behavior - Age

• Youth have higher crime rates due to impulsivity and peer pressure.
• Theories:
  • Subcultures: Identification with deviant groups.
  • Drift: Movement in and out of crime.
  • Labeling: Youth labeled as delinquents.

Lesson 12: Public Debates

• Violent Crime: Debate over enforcement vs. preventative measures.
• Sentencing and Rehabilitation: Effectiveness of different sentencing options.
• Treatment of Young Offenders: Rehabilitation vs. harsher penalties.
• Prison System and Media Coverage: Conditions, recidivism, media bias.

Lesson 13: Data on Crime

• Official Statistics: Collected by law enforcement but have limitations.
• Self-Report Studies: Provide more accurate crime picture but also have limitations.
• Dark Figure of Crime: Unreported/unrecorded criminal activity.
• Trends and Theories:
  • Functionalists: Crime data for societal functioning.
  • Marxists: Data reinforces class inequality.
  • Feminists: Data perpetuates stereotypes and biases.

Understanding these elements provides a comprehensive view of crime and deviance in sociology.