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Crime and the social construction of crime - Coggle Diagram
Crime and the social construction of crime
Crime - behaviour that breaks the formal, written laws of a society
Deviance - behaviour that goes against the norms of a society
Social construction - concepts by society that are treated as social facts, which in reality, have been created by people through shared interpretations and assumptions
Deviance (normative)
Used by structuralists
A violation of a norm held in certain social circles or by a majority of the members of the society at large
Deviance (relativistic)
Used by interactionists
Deviance is socially constructed
Perception of crime and deviance
Age
Young is more innocent
Vulnerable so less punishable
Children are less likely to commit certain crimes
Place
Driving - illegal until recently in Saudi Arabia
Homosexuality
Situation
Sex in public
Soldier in war
Public nudity
Self defence
Culture
Polygamy
Drinking
Divorce
Time
Homosexuality
Smoking in public places
Social group
W/C - benefit fraud
M/C - tax evasion
Evaluation (AO3)
Newburn argues that crime is basically a label
No act is a crime itself until the label to the act is applied
Changes over time
In the 1800s, Victorians were very worried about crime
Lots of theft and robbery
Crime post WWII was lower than before
Unemployment was low and people began to think of different ways to counter crimes
Rehabilitating offenders
Murder Act 1965 (abolition of the death penalty)
First ending of capital punishment in 1998
Welfare state introduced - less likely to steal as they have support
In the 21st century, increased surveillance
Sex offender registry, CCTVs, GPS, oyster
Reduces crime as they know they are being watched