Crime and Deviance

Any act that breaks the law.

A behaviour that deviated from social norms.

The unwritten rules of a society (eg. being polite)

They believe that society is based on value consensus, which comes from socialistaion. Social order is maintained as people conform to the rules over time

They believe that society is based on conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proleteriat, due to their differing interests. Order is maintained as the bourgeosie contain the power to force order and laws.

Based on written rules and laws

The Houses of Parliament, prison system, probation service

Based on unwritten rules and processes

Family, friends, colleagues etc

Merton (1938) argued that anomie (breakdown of norms) develops as a result of people expriencing strain between the goals they’ve been socialised to aim for and their means of achieving them. Once developed, higher rates of crime and deliquency is more likely.

1. Juvenile deliquency like vandalism isn’t motivated by money
2. Not clear why some with anomie break laws, whilst others don’t
3. Some sociologists argue that society is based on conflict between powerful and subordinate groups, rather than on consensus
4. Marxists argue that Merton fails to consider power relations in society, or who makes laws and benefits with them