Interactionists take the approach that crime and deviance is a social construction. The social construction of crime and deviance: labelling theory Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton are key functionalist theorists in crime and deviance. Too much crime, however, threatens social solidarity and may cause anomie. Functionalists believe some crime is necessary for the healthy functioning of society, as it enables the strengthening of social norms and values. What is crime?Īccording to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, crime is:įunctionalism looks at the role of crime in the overall functioning of society. Let's look at the official definitions of crime and deviance below. Crime is illegal, while deviance may be frowned upon, but it is not illegal. Crime and deviance definitionĪlthough they are related and can overlap, crime and deviance definitions are different. Lastly, we will consider crime prevention and punishment.Īlthough there is a lot of information, note that these topics are summarised in brief, as you will find separate explanations on each topic.We will briefly look at the social distribution of crime.Next, we will go over brief summaries of some sociological theories of crime. We will start by looking at the definitions of crime and deviance, including the differences between the two.It is also certainly helpful to distinguish 'crime' from 'deviance'. Although it may seem obvious, it is helpful to look at the definitions of crime and deviance when considering why crime is a social problem. The study of crime and deviance in sociology looks at criminal and deviant behaviour in society. While vandalism and skipping school are both seen as 'bad' behaviour, what differentiates the two acts? Why can't you be fined or sent to jail for skipping school? Or for waking up late? Theoretical Approaches to Welfare Providers.Distribution of Wealth, Poverty, and Income in the UK.Representation of Social Class In The Media.Social Construction of Health and Illness.Postmodernist Perspective on The Family.Functionalist Perspectives on the Family.
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