Different Theories Of Crime, Deviance, Social Order & Social Control

Front 1

Crime is behaviour that breaks the formal written laws of society.

Criminal acts include:

• Speeding
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Driving without a license

Criminal & deviant acts include:

• Murder
• Peadophiles
• Looting
• Canabolism

Back 1

Deviance is behaviour that does not conform to the norms of society. This is a social construction.

Deviant acts include:

• Being rude
• Swearing in class
• Not feeding your hamster

Not deviant or a crime:

• Drinking at 17
• Not drinking at 17

Front 2

The Classical Theory of Crime:

• Sociologists dislike this idea
• Developed in the C18th
• Based on utilitarian philosophy

- This holds the view that the ethnically correct thing to do is whether it benefits the most people

• TCTC assumes that people have free will and act rationally
• Therefore anyone that commits a crime chooses to do so
• The law & punishment are necessary to deter people from committing crime

Back 2

Biological Explanations of Crime:

• Biologists say abnormalities in the body, and particularly the mind can lead to crime.
• Biological explanations are concerned with how peoples behaviour can be influenced by their biology.

Front 3

Psychological Explanations of Crime:

• Some see criminal behaviour as aberrant: problem with the individual.
• Criminals are people who think in a way that leads them to commit a crime.

Back 3

Sociological Explanations of Crime:

• Some are interested in how what is criminal and deviant depends on social factors beyond the control of an individual.
• Others are interested in whether social factors can lead an individual to commit a criminal or deviant act.