GCSE Sociology: crime and deviance

Key concepts explained

Crime vs deviance

Crime is behaviour that breaks the law and can be punished by the legal system. Deviance is behaviour that breaks social norms but isn’t necessarily illegal. Swearing loudly in a library is deviant but not criminal. Stealing is both deviant and criminal. The key point is that both are socially constructed – what counts as criminal or deviant changes over time, between cultures, and between social groups.

Social control

Society uses two types of social control to keep people in line. Formal social control comes from official agencies with the authority to enforce rules: the police, courts, prisons, and government. Informal social control comes from everyday social pressure: family expectations, peer groups, education, religion, and the media. Most of your behaviour is shaped by informal control – you follow norms not because you’ll be arrested, but because you’ve been socialised to see them as normal.

Sociological perspectives on crime

Each perspective offers a different explanation for why crime exists:

• Functionalism: Crime is inevitable and even functional for society. Durkheim argued that crime reinforces shared values – when we see someone punished, it reminds us of the boundaries. Merton said crime happens when people can’t achieve society’s goals (wealth, success) through legitimate means, so they turn to illegitimate ones. Criticism: it doesn’t explain why certain groups commit more crime, and it can seem to justify crime.
• Marxism: Crime is a product of capitalism. The ruling class creates laws that protect their own interests, and the working class turns to crime because of poverty and inequality. White-collar and corporate crime (fraud, tax evasion) is under-policed because the powerful control the justice system. Criticism: it ignores the fact that not all working-class people commit crime, and crime exists in non-capitalist societies too.
• Interactionism: Crime is created by the labelling process. Becker argued that no act is inherently criminal – it becomes criminal when society labels it as such. Once someone is labelled a criminal, they may experience a self-fulfilling prophecy and commit more crime. Criticism: it doesn’t explain why people commit the initial act, and it seems to excuse criminal behaviour.
• Feminism: The criminal justice system is gendered. Women commit less crime than men (or are less likely to be caught and convicted). Feminists argue this is partly because of gender socialisation and partly because the justice system treats men and women differently. The “chivalry thesis” suggests police and courts are more lenient with women. Criticism: it focuses mainly on gender and may overlook other factors like class and ethnicity.

Factors affecting crime

• Age: Young people (particularly males aged 15–25) are over-represented in crime statistics. This may reflect peer pressure, risk-taking behaviour, or the fact that police target younger people more.
• Gender: Men commit significantly more recorded crime than women. Explanations include socialisation (boys are encouraged to be tough and take risks), opportunity, and differences in how the justice system treats men and women.
• Ethnicity: Some ethnic minority groups are over-represented in the criminal justice system. Sociologists debate whether this reflects actual differences in offending or bias within policing (such as stop and search) and the courts.
• Social class: Working-class people are more likely to appear in crime statistics. Marxists argue this is because the law targets street crime over white-collar crime. Others point to poverty, lack of opportunity, and strain theory.
• Media: The media can create moral panics by exaggerating certain types of crime, leading to increased public fear and harsher policing. Stanley Cohen’s study of mods and rockers is a key example.

The criminal justice system

You should know the basic structure: police investigate and make arrests, the Crown Prosecution Service decides whether to charge, courts determine guilt and sentencing, and prisons carry out custodial sentences. Sociologists debate whether the system is fair – Marxists argue it favours the powerful, interactionists point to labelling and stereotyping, and feminists highlight gendered treatment. You should also know about alternatives to prison, such as community service and restorative justice, and be able to discuss whether prison works as a deterrent or simply creates reoffending.

Exam technique

Using sociological perspectives

The highest-mark questions always require you to use perspectives. Don’t just describe what functionalists think – explain why they think it, give an example, and then evaluate. A strong answer compares at least two perspectives and explains where they agree and disagree.

Structure each paragraph like this: state the perspective’s view, explain the reasoning, give a specific example or study, then evaluate with a criticism or a contrasting perspective. This Point–Explain–Example–Evaluate structure keeps your answer focused and helps you hit all the assessment objectives.

Evaluation tips

• Always consider more than one perspective. If you’ve explained the Marxist view, follow it with “However, interactionists would argue that…”
• Use evidence. Mention specific sociologists or studies (Durkheim, Merton, Becker, Cohen) to support your points.
• Consider practical criticisms too. A theory might sound convincing but be difficult to test or may only explain some types of crime.
• End with a brief conclusion that weighs up the perspectives. You don’t need a definitive answer – just show you can assess which explanation is most convincing and why.

Comparing perspectives

A common mistake is writing about each perspective in isolation. The best answers actively compare. Functionalists see crime as serving a purpose for society; Marxists see it as a symptom of inequality. Interactionists focus on how people become labelled as criminals; feminists focus on how gender shapes who gets caught and punished. Showing these connections demonstrates deeper understanding and pushes your answer into the top mark band.