Knowledge of Deviance and Crime

Reasons why the term "crime" is problematic

- Restricts our analysis to certain types of behaviour (i.e. murder, theft)

- Much relevant behaviour may be ignored (i.e. body modification)

- Our current definition of crime is based upon a specific theory of crime (In this theory, crime is defined as "demonstrated harm to others"

- Harm is a very subjective term

- It is narrow

Why is the term "deviance" problematic?

- It is broad

- Varies across time and place

- Subjective (defined according to the context in which behaviour occurs)

- Depends upon people's definition of situations (eg. use of alcohol and profanity)

Why did some people argue that the term "deviance" should be eradicated?

Discussing a behaviour in the context of deviance defines that behaviour as deviant

What do some Marxists perceive deviance as?

- Liberating acts of rebellion against capitalism

- Conformity as collusion

What do functionalists and control theorists perceive institutional restraint as?

Vital to social harmony

Does the definition of deviance change over time?

Yes (eg smoking, tobacco, gambling and homosexuality)

What did Downes and Rock (2003) state?

"Of course it is conceivable that the claims of one school are valid and that deviance is actually unambiguous when it is properly interpreted. It is also conceivable that there is no single truth"

Deutschmann claims that

One theory cannot explain all forms of deviance

What does state interference often lead to?

Leads to more deviance (i.e. if branded a criminal, loser, failure etc., we might become as much)

Epistemology

Ideas about how best to study society

- The method that you employ

- The study of knowledge

Ontology

Claims about what is the nature of social reality

Is having many definitions of crime and deviance problematic?

Not necessarily

Differences exist, in part, because of

Ontological and epistemological assumptions