What Are The Patterns Of And Explanations For Crime And Deviance?
Overview
Look at the people in any country's prisons and a striking pattern appears: they are overwhelmingly young, mostly male, and drawn far more often from the poorer than the richer end of society. In many countries certain ethnic groups also appear in the figures out of all proportion to their numbers. Why? Is it that these groups really commit more crime, or that society notices, suspects and punishes them more? That question sits at the heart of this topic.
Here you will learn the social patterns of recorded crime by age, class, gender and ethnicity, and the explanations sociologists offer for them. Some explanations point to real differences in behaviour, such as a lack of opportunity or status frustration among the young; others point to the way the police and the courts target some groups, label them and so help create the very pattern the statistics seem to show. By the end you will be able to argue both sides and reach a balanced judgement.
Objectives
- Age.
- Social class.
- Gender.
- Ethnicity.
- Police targeting / stop and search.
- Self-fulfilling prophecy.
- Stereotyping.
- Gang culture.
- Socialisation and social control.
- Lack of opportunity.
- Status frustration.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on What Are The Patterns Of And Explanations For Crime And Deviance?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which sociologist used the idea of status frustration to explain working-class youth offending? A. Robert Merton B. Albert Cohen C. Howard Becker D. Emile Durkheim Answer: B
- The idea that a label, once applied, can lead a person to act in line with it is known as: A. status frustration B. the self-fulfilling prophecy C. strain D. retreatism Answer: B
- Heavier use of stop and search on certain groups is an example of: A. status frustration B. police targeting C. corporate crime D. retribution Answer: B
- Merton's strain theory explains crime mainly as a response to: A. a blocked path between society's goals and the means to reach them B. weak punishment by the courts C. the influence of the media D. a lack of police Answer: A
- Which group is usually over-represented in recorded crime statistics? A. Older women B. Young males C. Retired people D. Young middle-class girls Answer: B
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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