Definitions of crime and deviance

    AQA
    GCSE

    Candidates must distinguish between crime (legal violation) and deviance (norm violation), analyzing how these concepts are socially constructed rather than inherent. Study focuses on the relativity of deviance across time, place, and culture, underpinned by the Interactionist perspective (Becker) that 'social groups create deviance by making the rules'. Analysis must extend to the mechanisms of formal and informal social control and the power dynamics determining which acts are criminalized.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit distinction between crime (violation of criminal law) and deviance (violation of social norms/values).
    • Credit responses that utilize the concept of 'relativity' to explain social construction, citing specific historical or cultural variations (e.g., changes in laws regarding homosexuality or smoking).
    • Candidates must link formal sanctions (fines, imprisonment) specifically to agents of the state (police, courts) and informal sanctions (ostracism, ridicule) to agents of socialization (family, peers).
    • Reward the application of sociological perspectives; for example, linking 'status frustration' or 'labelling' to why certain acts are defined as deviant.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit distinction between crime (violation of criminal law) and deviance (violation of social norms/values).
    • Credit responses that utilize the concept of 'relativity' to explain social construction, citing specific historical or cultural variations (e.g., changes in laws regarding homosexuality or smoking).
    • Candidates must link formal sanctions (fines, imprisonment) specifically to agents of the state (police, courts) and informal sanctions (ostracism, ridicule) to agents of socialization (family, peers).
    • Reward the application of sociological perspectives; for example, linking 'status frustration' or 'labelling' to why certain acts are defined as deviant.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 12-mark 'Discuss how far' questions, you must explicitly refer to the provided Item (e.g., 'As mentioned in Item A...') to access top-band AO2 marks.
    • 💡When defining deviance, always pair the definition with a concrete example of a sanction to demonstrate understanding of social control mechanisms.
    • 💡Allocate approximately 15 minutes for the 12-mark essay; ensure you include a conclusion that directly answers the 'how far' prompt to secure AO3 marks.
    • 💡Use the 'PEEL' structure (Point, Evidence/Example, Explanation, Link) to ensure depth; mere description of a term is capped at lower bands.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating 'crime' and 'deviance' as interchangeable terms rather than distinct but overlapping categories.
    • Providing generic examples of 'laws changing' without citing specific legislation (e.g., 1967 Sexual Offences Act) or specific cultural differences.
    • Failing to acknowledge that deviance is situational; treating an act (e.g., killing) as inherently deviant without considering contexts like war or self-defence.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss how far
    Examine
    Evaluate

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