Crime and Deviance

Crime

an act that breaks a law and causes harm to people or society in general

Deviance

Behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectations/norms of a group or society

Drinking alcohol

both crime and deviance, crime due to age (changes culturally), - deviance due to time, age, setting and activity

Killing another person

Crime and also excusable, if in war/ self defense, is excused as a crime, changed throughout history due to old beheadings and assassinations where it was acceptable

smoking

Crime and deviance, crime due to age, some societies frown upon it so becomes deviant, medical marijuana is legal

Using a mobile phone while driving

always a crime, can be excused if it is a medical emergency

Pet theft

Used to be a deviant act, but has been made a crime in recent years

crime and deviance conclusions

nearly all crimes are deviant but not all, deviant acts can become crimes, what is considered a crime or deviant act may change over time, crime and deviance is culturally specific

Formal social control

laws, the police, prison (negative sanctions)

Informal social control

good socialisation, peer pressure, parental pressure, rewarding individuals with positive sanctions (good jobs, awards, exam qualifications and promotions)