Top 5: crime and deviance

Agencies of informal social control

• family

• School

• Friends

• Media

• Religion

• Workplace

What is a law

Written rule of behaviour established by tradition or authority

What is deviance

One which breaks society’s norms and values. It’s disapproved of but not always illegal

Formal social control

People in authority who make us conform to the written rules or laws of society

What is crime

An action or behaviour that breaks a written rule or law of society

Agencies of formal social control

• government

• Police

• Court system

• Prisons

• Probation service

What is the social construction of deviance

Whether an act is criminal or deviant based on context

Social control

People being made to conform to something

Informal social control

People and groups who make us conform to the unwritten rules- the norms and values of society

Sanctions

Response to behaviour. Can be positive or negative

Role of the judiciary

To decide the sanction of an offender who committed an act of crime

Travis hirschi: 4 crucial bonds to society

• attachment, caring about others wishes and opinions

• Commitment, personal investments and what we have to loose

• Involvement, is there time and space to be committing crime?

• Belief, strength and belief over whether crimes should be broken

Travis hirschi: control theory

Crime occurs when people’s connection to society is weakened. There are 4 crucial bonds to society

Restorative justice

A face to face meeting between you (the victim) and the person who has committed the crime (the offender)