Crime and deviance | Revision for AQA GCSE Sociology

Summary

This video, created by Primrose Kitten Academy, covers essential topics on crime and deviance for AQA GCSE Sociology. It highlights that crime is an action breaking laws, while deviance is behavior not conforming to societal norms. These concepts are not absolute but shaped by societal norms, values, and power dynamics. The video explores various sociological theories like anomie, labeling, and structural theories which explain the origins and perceptions of crime and deviance. It also covers critical discussions on social control methods, crime data, and public debates concerning aspects like violent crime, sentencing, and the media's role. Viewing the intersections of crime with social class, age, ethnicity, and gender provides a comprehensive understanding of this subject and its complexities in societal contexts.

Highlights

• Learn how societal norms shape definitions of crime and deviance.
• Explore theories like anomie and labeling to understand crime origins.
• Discover how social structures impact criminal behavior.
• Understand the vital role of social control methods.
• Dive into public debates on crime and its representation in media.

Key Takeaways

• Crime is breaking the law; deviance is breaking social norms.
• Definitions of crime and deviance vary with culture, time, and place.
• Key sociological theories suggest crime results from societal structures and reactions.
• Methods of social control include formal (laws) and informal (social norms) strategies.
• Crime data and public attitudes are influenced by media portrayals and systemic biases.

Overview

In this engaging GCSE Sociology revision video by Primrose Kitten Academy, viewers delve into the intriguing concepts of crime and deviance. Crime is legally defined actions that break the law, like theft or murder, whereas deviance involves actions that defy societal norms, such as talking with your mouth full. What's fascinating is how these definitions are not fixed but socially constructed, meaning different societies may have varying interpretations of what constitutes crime or deviance.

The video doesn't just halt at definitions; it dives deep into theoretical lenses through which crime and deviance can be understood. Theories like anomie, labeling, and Marxism provide frameworks for analyzing these behaviors, suggesting that societal structures, inequalities, and reactions play pivotal roles in shaping criminal activities. Furthermore, functionalists offer a refreshing perspective by identifying the potential positive roles crime can play in societal cohesion and norms reinforcement.

Beyond theories, the video engages with current debates surrounding crime and deviance in society. Issues such as media portrayals, the effectiveness of punitive vs. rehabilitative justice, and patterns related to social class, ethnicity, and gender are scrutinized. The discussion reveals how societal biases and institutional practices influence crime statistics and public perception, equipping students with a nuanced understanding crucial for their sociology exams.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction The introduction of the video emphasizes the goal of covering the entire crime and deviance section for the AQA GCSE sociology syllabus. It encourages viewers to watch the video attentively and take detailed notes to aid memory retention for exams. The chapter also highlights additional resources available on the speaker's website, including multiple-choice questions, live tutorials, and predicted exam papers.
• 00:30 - 05:00: The Social Construction of Crime and Deviance The chapter explores the concept of crime and deviance from a sociological perspective, particularly focusing on how these notions are socially constructed. Crime is defined as any form of action that results in violating societal laws, whereas deviance includes actions that do not necessarily break laws but go against social norms. By analyzing AQA GCSE sociology material, the chapter aims to provide an understanding of how societal values and norms influence the categorization of certain behaviors as criminal or deviant.
• 05:00 - 08:30: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance: Anomie and Labeling Theories This chapter explores sociological perspectives on crime and deviance, focusing on Anomie and Labeling Theories. It begins by distinguishing between crime, defined as violations of formal societal rules or laws, and deviance, which encompasses behaviors that deviate from societal norms. The chapter highlights how actions can be categorized as criminal but not deviant, deviant but not criminal, or both. The concept of the social construction of crime and deviance is introduced, emphasizing that definitions and perceptions of these concepts are shaped by societal frameworks and understanding.
• 08:30 - 10:00: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance: Structural and Subcultural Theories The chapter explores how criminal and deviant behaviors are not fixed or objective, but are instead constructed by societal norms, values, and power dynamics. This construction means that what is considered criminal or deviant can vary among cultures, time periods, and social groups. It uses examples to illustrate how certain behaviors seen as deviant or criminal in one context might be acceptable or even normative in another. This sociological perspective emphasizes the role of structural and subcultural theories in understanding crime and deviance, recognizing that societal power dynamics heavily influence these definitions.
• 10:00 - 15:00: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance: Functionalist Perspective The chapter focuses on sociological explanations of crime and deviance through a functionalist perspective, highlighting that what is considered as criminal or deviant can vary between societies. Different factors such as race, class, and gender can influence how crime and deviance are defined and managed by legal systems, showcasing that crime is socially constructed over time.
• 15:00 - 20:30: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance: Marxist and Feminist Perspectives The concept of what is deemed criminal is not static and evolves over time; for example, homosexuality, once considered a criminal offense, is no longer. Secondly, behaviors considered deviant in one place may not be so in another; for instance, killing is generally a criminal offense, but exceptions exist such as being in a wartime context. Furthermore, cultural...
• 20:30 - 25:00: Sociological Explanations of Crime and Deviance: Interactionist Perspective The chapter discusses how perceptions of crime and deviance can vary widely between different cultures and social contexts. For example, certain behaviors may be considered rude or unacceptable in one culture or situation but perfectly normal in another. A specific illustration given is that eating with your left hand is seen as rude in some cultures, while in others, such behavior may not attract any particular stigma. Similarly, the appropriateness of drinking alcohol can vary by social context, such as being frowned upon in the morning generally, but more acceptable at an airport prior to a holiday.
• 25:00 - 35:00: Social Control Chapter Title: Social Control The chapter explores different explanations for crime and deviance, focusing on the concept of 'anemy' developed by French sociologist Amir Dein. 'Anemy' describes a state where societal norms and values are unclear, leading to social disorder and rising crime rates. The theory posits that crime arises when individuals are unable to navigate societal expectations due to unclear or absent norms.
• 35:00 - 48:00: Patterns in Criminal and Deviant Behavior: Social Class and Gender The chapter discusses the patterns in criminal and deviant behavior with a focus on social class and gender. It explores the idea that individuals may resort to deviant behaviors to achieve their goals when legitimate means are unavailable. It also delves into labeling theory, which suggests that deviance is not an inherent quality of certain acts but is instead created by societal reactions. Being labeled as 'deviant' by society can influence individuals to adopt deviant behaviors.
• 48:00 - 72:00: Patterns in Criminal and Deviant Behavior: Ethnicity and Age The chapter 'Patterns in Criminal and Deviant Behavior: Ethnicity and Age' explores various theories explaining deviance and crime focusing on identity dynamics and societal influence.
• 72:00 - 81:00: Public Debates Over Criminal and Deviant Behavior The chapter titled 'Public Debates Over Criminal and Deviant Behavior' discusses various theories explaining deviant behavior. It highlights the impact of social structure on deviance, noting that certain structures may increase the likelihood of such behavior. Marxism is mentioned as an example, attributing crime and deviance to class conflicts inherent in capitalist societies. Additionally, subcultural theories are introduced, proposing that deviance stems from individuals identifying with and participating in groups that hold deviant norms.
• 81:00 - 89:00: Data on Crime In the chapter titled 'Data on Crime,' the discussion revolves around the concept of subcultures and their influence on criminal activities. Subcultures possess distinct norms and values that often differ from those of mainstream society. Interactionist Theory is highlighted, which emphasizes the interpretation and response of individuals to social situations. This theory suggests that deviance is shaped significantly through social interactions.

Crime and deviance | Revision for AQA GCSE Sociology Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 hello lovs in this video we're going to be going through the whole of crime and deviant section for your AQA gcsc sociology now after you've watched this video carefully made notes from all the topics if you want to help remember everything get all those facts into your long-term memory so that you can better answer questions in the exam then open my website we've got loads of multiple choice questions for you and then we have the live tutorials and we have the predicted papers that we've WR for this year's exams
• 00:30 - 01:00 [Music] AQA GCSE sociology topic five crime and deviant lesson one the social construction of crime and deviant the terms crime and deviance can be defined as follows crime is any form of action that results in breaking a
• 01:00 - 01:30 written formal rule in society it is an act that breaks the law EG murder deviance this is behavior that does not conform to the dominant Norms of a specific Society EG talking with your mouthful actions can be criminal but not deviant deviant but not criminal or they can be both the social construction of crime and deviance refers to the idea that the definitions and understandings of what
• 01:30 - 02:00 constitutes criminal behavior and deviant Behavior are not fixed or objective but rather are constructed and shaped by societal Norms values and power dynamics this means that what is considered criminal or deviant Behavior can vary across different cultures time periods and social groups for example certain behaviors or actions that may be considered deviant
• 02:00 - 02:30 or criminal in one Society may not be considered as such in another similarly the way in which crime and deviant are defined and dealt with by the legal system can also vary based on factors such as race class and gender there are lots of ways crime can be seen as socially constructed for example number one time
• 02:30 - 03:00 what is seen as criminal is not fixed and changes over time for example homosexuality used to be a criminal offense but is not now number two place what is considered deviant in one place might not be in another for example killing someone is a criminal offense unless you are at War number three culture
• 03:00 - 03:30 what is considered criminal or deviant can change between cultures for example eating with your left hand in some countries is considered to be rude number four the social situation behaviors that are acceptable in some situations are not in others for example drinking alcohol at 88: a.m. is frowned upon unless you in the airport on the way to a holiday lesson two sociological
• 03:30 - 04:00 explanations of crime and deviant various number one anemy animy is a concept developed by French sociologist Amir dein it refers to a condition in which society lacks clear norms and values leading to a breakdown in social order and an increase in crime this Theory suggests that crime is a result of the inability of individuals
• 04:00 - 04:30 to achieve their goals through legitimate means and they turn to deviants to achieve them number two labeling labeling theory developed by Howard Becker suggests that deviance is not inherent in the act itself but rather it is created by the way Society reacts to it when an individual is labeled as deviant they may be to adopt the
• 04:30 - 05:00 identity of a deviant and engage in more deviant Behavior this Theory highlights the role of societal reactions in shaping deviant number three structural theories structural theories of crime and deviance focus on the role of Social and economic inequality in shaping deviant these theories argue that poverty in in inequality create a crime
• 05:00 - 05:30 prone social structure which increases the likelihood of deviant Behavior theories like Marxism which claims that crime and deviant are a result of capitalist Society class conflicts falls under this category number four subcultural theories subcultural theories suggest that deviance is a result of individuals identifying with and participating in deviant
• 05:30 - 06:00 subcultures these subcultures may have their own norms and values that differ from mainstream society and may be involved in criminal activity interactionist Theory interactionist Theory focuses on how individuals interpret and respond to social situations this Theory emphasizes the role of social interactions in shaping deviant it suggests that deviance is a
• 06:00 - 06:30 result of the way individuals interpret and respond to societal norms and expectations this Theory highlights the importance of understanding the subjective experiences and perspectives of deviant individuals lesson three sociological explanations of crime and deviant functionalists different sociological perspectives view crime in different ways most view crime and deviant as
• 06:30 - 07:00 destructive but functionalists believe that crime has a positive purpose in society the functionalist perspective argues that criminal and deviant behavior is a necessary part of society as it serves to Define and reinforce social norms and values according to functionalists criminal and deviant Behavior serve to maintain social order and stability by providing a clear boundary between right and
• 07:00 - 07:30 wrong they argue that Society needs some deviant to function properly and that deviance is an inevitable and necessary part of the social order for example if someone breaks the law and is sent to prison it reinforces to everyone else that their actions were unacceptable however they do recognize that crime and deviance can be dysfunctional and disrupt the social order consequently they argue that
• 07:30 - 08:00 Society needs a system of punishment to maintain social order and stability a key functionalist theorist for crime was meron whose theory of anemy is one of the most influential explanations of crime in sociology Merton argues that crime is caused by a disconnection between the goals people have in society and the means they have to achieve those goals in other words people who feel they cannot achieve their goals through
• 08:00 - 08:30 legitimate means May resort to criminal Behavior Martin identified five ways in which people May respond to this disconnection Conformity Innovation ritualism retreatism and Rebellion each of these responses is different in terms of the relationship between goals and means with Rebellion being the most deviant as it involves a rejection of both societal goals and
• 08:30 - 09:00 means Martin's theory is functionless in that it emphasizes the role of social structure in shaping individual Behavior Lesson Four sociological explanations of crime and deviant marxists marxists believe that social inequality and specifically capitalism is the driving force behind crime marxists argue that crime and deviant are a product of capitalist
• 09:00 - 09:30 societies and that the criminal justice system serve to maintain the power and wealth of the ruling class according to marxists criminal and deviant behavior is often a result of the way that the ruling class uses their power to exploit and control the working class they argue that criminal and deviant behavior is often a result of the way that the working class is oppressed and marginalized in society
• 09:30 - 10:00 they argue that the laws and the legal system are not neutral but rather are shaped by the interests of those who hold power in society and they used to maintain their dominance over marginalized groups they also believe capitalism promotes criminogenic values such as greed as it emphasizes material wealth those living in poverty are not able to compete so resort to Crime for example they may steal a mobile phone they cannot
• 10:00 - 10:30 afford lesson five sociological explanations of crime and deviance feminists feminists argue that crime and deviant are not only shaped by societal reactions but also by the power dynamics within Society particularly those related to gender according to feminists criminal and deviant behavior is often a result of the way that men use their power to exploit and control
• 10:30 - 11:00 women they argue that criminal and deviant behavior is often a result of the way that women are oppressed and marginalized in society they also argue that the criminal justice system and the definitions of crime and deviance often disproportionately affect women and that these concepts are used to maintain patriarchal power structures women are often viewed as deviant when they engage in Criminal criminal Behavior while men are often
• 11:00 - 11:30 seen as mischievous or rebellious this double standard can lead to harsher punishments for women and more lenient punishments for men hynson is a key feminist theorist who focuses on crime one of her key ideas is that women are less likely to engage in criminal Behavior because of their socialization and the expectations placed on them by Society she argues that women are
• 11:30 - 12:00 socialized to conform to traditional gender roles which emphasize femininity and Domesticity and that these roles discourage women from engaging in deviant Behavior Henson also argues that the criminal justice system is biased against women and that they are often treated more harshly than men for the same offenses Henson also says that women are often subject to additional forms of social control that are not imp osed on men she states that women are controlled
• 12:00 - 12:30 in three places at home having to be the housewife means time is taken up with domestic Jaws so there's less opportunity to commit crime in public women are controlled by the threat of male violence EG the risk of sexual assault keeps them from going out at night alone and at Work men are more likely to be in positions of power EG C EOS so women have less freedom in
• 12:30 - 13:00 the workplace hyon's ideas have important implications for understanding the relationship between gender and crime her work highlights the ways in which gender roles and expectations can shap criminal Behavior and the ways in which the criminal justice system can be biased against women it also emphasizes the importance of considering the role of social control in shaping crime and
• 13:00 - 13:30 deviance lesson six sociological explanations of crime and deviance interactionists interactionists argue that crime and deviant are not inherent in certain actions or behaviors but rather are a product of societal reactions to them they focus on how people in positions of power such as the criminal justice system and the media label certain Behavior as deviant or
• 13:30 - 14:00 criminal this perspective argues that criminal and deviant behavior is often a result of the way that individuals are labeled and stigmatized by Society according to interactionists individuals who are labeled as deviant or criminal are more likely to engage in deviant or criminal Behavior because of the way that Society responds to them they believe that once an individual is labeled as a criminal or de they are more likely to be treated as
• 14:00 - 14:30 such by society which can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy they argue that these labels can have a significant impact on an individual's self-concept and their future interactions with others the sociologist Becka's key ideas on the causes of crime center around the concept of differential association this Theory posits that individuals learn criminal Behavior through their interactions and
• 14:30 - 15:00 association with others specifically those who engage in criminal activity according to Becca an individual's likelihood of committing a crime is determined by the balance of positive and negative associations with criminal Behavior Becca was a notable interactionist theorist and he focused on the issue of labeling and crime Becca argues that people learn criminal behavior in the same way they
• 15:00 - 15:30 learn any other Behavior through a process of socialization as individuals interact with others they are exposed to the values norms and beliefs of those around them if an individual is exposed to a high number of individuals who engage in criminal behavior and have positive attitudes towards it they are more likely to engage in criminal Behavior themselves elves on the other hand if an individual
• 15:30 - 16:00 is exposed to a high number of individuals who disapprove of criminal Behavior they are less likely to engage in it Becca also highlights the importance of the context in which criminal behavior is learned he argues that the same behavior may be considered criminal in one context but not in another and that the nature of the behavior itself is not what makes it criminal but rather the social and legal sanctions that are
• 16:00 - 16:30 imposed upon it Becca's ideas on the causes of crime also include the concept of labeling theory he argues that individuals who are labeled as criminals by society and the criminal justice system are more likely to engage in criminal behavior in the future when someone is labeled as a criminal the label becomes a person's Master status this means it overrides all other characteristics and they begin
• 16:30 - 17:00 to believe they are deviant Society marginalizes them this is because the label criminal carries with it a set of negative stereotypes and biases which can lead to discrimination and marginalization the person internalizes the label and it becomes part of their self-concept known as a self-fulfilling prophecy as a result individuals who are labeled as criminals may have fewer
• 17:00 - 17:30 opportunities for employment education and social Mobility which can increase their likelihood of committing crimes in the future lesson seven social control formal methods of social control refer to the official and legal means by which society regulates and enforces behavior these include laws regulations and institutions such as the police courts and
• 17:30 - 18:00 prisons formal methods of social control are designed to prevent and punish criminal behavior and are based upon the principle of codified rules and laws that are enforced by the state examples of formal methods of social control include laws against fft assault and murder and the enforcement of these laws by the police and courts informal methods of social
• 18:00 - 18:30 control refer to the non-legal and non-official means by which society regulates and enforces behavior these include social norms customs and traditions as well as social institutions such as the family and Community informal methods of social control are based on the principle of Unwritten rules and sanctions and are enforced by social networks and peer groups examples of informal methods of
• 18:30 - 19:00 social control include the expectation that people will be polite and courteous in public the pressure to conform to certain dress codes and the sanctions that can be imposed on individuals who violate these Norms such as social exclusion or ostracism Unwritten rules and sanctions are an important aspect of both formal and informal methods of social control Unwritten rules refer to the unwritten
• 19:00 - 19:30 norms and expectations that govern Behavior within a society and are often informal cultural and based on tradition sanctions refer to the Rewards or punishments that are imposed on individuals who comply or violate these Unwritten rules for example in some cultures there are Unwritten rules about how one should behave in public such as not speaking loudly or using offensive language those who violate these rules may be
• 19:30 - 20:00 subject to informal sanctions such as social disapproval or exclusion from certain social activities different sociological perspectives on social control are the functionalist perspective they argue that social control is essential for the functioning of society as it ensures that individuals conform to social norms and expectations according to functionalists social
• 20:00 - 20:30 control is not just about punishing deviant but also about promoting Conformity which is necessary for the survival and functioning of society the Marxist perspective they argue that social control is used to justify the exploitation of the working class and maintain the power of the capitalist elite Marxist also highlight the importance of understanding how social control operates in the context of class
• 20:30 - 21:00 struggle and how it is used to maintain the power of the ruling class the feminist perspective they argue that social control often Works to maintain traditional gender roles and power imbalances and that it is often used to justify the marginalization and oppression of women feminists also highlight the importance of understanding how social control operates at the intersection of gender race class and other social
• 21:00 - 21:30 factors the interactionist perspective they argue that social control is not just imposed from the top down but also emerges from the everyday interactions between people interactionists view social control is a mutual process where individuals negotiate with one another to establish norms and expectations they also highlight the importance of symbols and language in
• 21:30 - 22:00 shape and social control arguing that the meanings attached to certain behaviors and symbols can influence how people act lesson eight patterns in criminal and deviant Behavior social class social class is one of the most significant factors affecting criminal and deviant Behavior research has shown that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to engage in criminal Behavior than those from higher socioeconomic
• 22:00 - 22:30 backgrounds this is often attributed to the fact that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have fewer opportunities and resources which can lead to feelings of alienation and frustration additionally individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may have less access to education healthare and other social services which can contribute to criminal
• 22:30 - 23:00 Behavior Trend in crime for social class historically there has been a notable link between social class and types of crime those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more frequently associated with Street crimes such as theft burglary and assault in contrast individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely associated with white collar crime like fraud tax evasion and corporate
• 23:00 - 23:30 crime however it's worth noting that while Street crimes are more visibly policed and punished white color crimes though less visible can have a more significant societal impact in terms of Economic Consequences let's look at some theories that explain some of these patterns number one poor socialization this Theory suggests that individuals from lower socioeconomic
• 23:30 - 24:00 backgrounds might not be adequately socialized into societal norms and values this could be due to a range of factors including unstable family backgrounds lack of positive role models or exposure to criminal behavior from a young age the implication of this insufficient socialization can lead to a higher propensity to engage in deviant or criminal Behavior because these
• 24:00 - 24:30 individuals may not internalize societal Norms that discourage such actions secondly strain theory by Merton Robert Merton posited that Society sets culturally approved goals and socially acceptable means to achieve these goals however not everyone has equal access to these means like education or legitimate employment the
• 24:30 - 25:00 implication those who can't access these means might feel strain and turn to illegitimate means I.E crime to achieve societal goals like financial success this is particularly prevalent among the working class who might face structural barriers to achieving Success Through legitimate Avenues thirdly status frustration by Cohen Albert Cohen argued aru that workingclass youths are at a
• 25:00 - 25:30 disadvantage in middle class institutions like schools leading them to experience status frustration the implication Albert Cohen was a sociologist who studied delinquent subcultures in the 50s and 60s he proposed that delinquent Behavior among lower class youth was a result of their rejection of the middle class values and goals that they perceived as being for for upon them by Society Cohen argued that these youths
• 25:30 - 26:00 formed their own subcultures with their own values and goals which were in opposition to those of mainstream Society he believed that the delinquent subculture was characterized by a sense of status frustration where young people were unable to achieve the status and respect they desired in mainstream Society this led to a rejection of middleclass values and the adoption of a delinquent sub culture which was seen as a way to gain status and respect within
• 26:00 - 26:30 their peer group Cohen's Theory also emphasize the role of subcultural groups in the development and maintenance of delinquent behavior in summary the relationship between social class and crime can be understood from multiple sociological perspectives while it's crucial to understand these theoretical viewpoints it's also important to approach a topic with new once and avoid overgeneralizing
• 26:30 - 27:00 or stigmatizing particular social groups lesson n patterns in criminal and deviant Behavior gender men are more likely to engage in criminal Behavior than women and this is often attributed to traditional gender roles and expectations men are often socialized to be more aggressive and assertive which can lead to criminal Behavior the trend in crime for gender historically crime rates and
• 27:00 - 27:30 types of crime committed have shown variations between genders men have been and continue to be more likely to be involved in most types of crime compared to women they especially dominate in violent crimes and more serious offenses however women have typically been associated with less violent crimes like shoplifting that said recent times have witnessed a rise in the female
• 27:30 - 28:00 crime rate let's look into some theories that explain these patterns firstly gender role socialization from a young age individuals are socialized into traditional gender roles boys might be taught to be assertive and independent whereas girls might be socialized to be nurturing and passive the implication this can lead to different types of crimes being more prevalent in one
• 28:00 - 28:30 gender for instance men might be more prone to aggressive behavior due to the masculinization of aggression leading to higher rates of violent crime secondly control of women Francis hadenson argued that women are less likely to commit crimes because they are more controlled than men in both private the home and public Society spheres this control comes in various
• 28:30 - 29:00 forms from Direct Control by male family members to societal expectations and Norms the implication the patriarchal nature of societies leads to women being under tight of surveillance and control thereby reducing opportunities and inclinations to commit crime however it also means that women do commit crimes it's seen as a significant deviation from the
• 29:00 - 29:30 norm thirdly labeling this Theory suggests that individuals are labeled based on societal norms and expectations for women these labels often relate to traditional gender roles the implication when women engage in criminal activity it can be seen as more shocking or deviant than when men commit similar crimes this could lead to differential
• 29:30 - 30:00 treatment in the criminal justice system with women possibly facing more severe repercussions due to the violation of gender expectations change in Trends while historically men have been more involved in criminal activities than women there has been a noted increase in the female crime rate in more recent years poverty there is a link between between female criminality and poverty many
• 30:00 - 30:30 women are driven to Crime due to a lack of conventional opportunities to escape poverty another cause in this trend may be Liberation some sociologists argue that is women gain more Liberation and an equal footing in society they also engage in behaviors historically dominated by men including crime this doesn't mean Liberation is a direct cause but rather that societ Al changes can influence crime
• 30:30 - 31:00 patterns Caroline caran is a criminologist who has written extensively on the relationship between women crime and poverty she has argued that the criminal justice system and Society at large often fail to understand the unique circumstances and experiences of women who are involved in criminal activity let's take a look at control theory control theory is a sociological framework that asks why do people not
• 31:00 - 31:30 commit crimes it suggests that people conform to social norms because of bonds to family schools and other institutions if these bonds are weak or broken individuals may be more likely to engage in criminal activity Carin expanded on control theory by introducing the concepts of the class deal and the gender deal firstly the class
• 31:30 - 32:00 deal this refers to the idea that Society offers a kind of deal where if you follow the rules work hard get an education Etc then you will get economic rewards in return like a well-paying job and social respect when this deal breaks down or isn't accessible due to Poverty or lack of opportunities individuals may turn to Crime as an alternative way to achieve success the gender deal similar to the class deal the
• 32:00 - 32:30 gender deal refers to the unwritten social contract offered to women this suggests that if women conform to societal expectations around femininity family and motherhood they'll receive protection and certain privileges in return when women find this deal unattainable or unrewarding they may be more likely to commit crimes so how do these two deals interact Carlin's ideas of the class and
• 32:30 - 33:00 gender deals help to further explain the mechanics of control theory by diving deeper into the types of Rewards or benefits people expect to receive when they conform to societal Norms number one class if you feel the class deal is not available to you because of lack of Education or job opportunities then the control mechanisms keeping you from from committing a crime are
• 33:00 - 33:30 weakened second gender if you're a woman and find that the gender deal doesn't offer you the protection or benefits you thought it would for example you might experienced domestic violence or inequality or a lack of opportunities then the bonds holding you back from Criminal Behavior may also weaken both of these deals are ways society tries to control individual Behavior by offering rewards for Conformity and punishment for
• 33:30 - 34:00 deviant when these rewards are not available or not perceived as worth the effort people may turn to Crime Carin also suggests that traditional criminological theories do not adequately explain women's involvement in crime and that new theories that take into account the unique experiences and circumstances of women are needed in summary while gender plays a role in crime Trends it's essential to
• 34:00 - 34:30 approach this topic with a comprehensive understanding and avoid oversimplified gender stereotypes the sociological explanations provide depth and insight into the complexities of gender and crime lesson 10 patterns in criminal and deviant Behavior ethnicity research has shown that individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds are more likely to engage in
• 34:30 - 35:00 criminal Behavior than others this is often attributed factors such as discrimination poverty and lack of access to education and Social Services additionally individuals from certain ethnic backgrounds may be more likely to be targeted by law enforcement and the criminal justice system which can lead to higher rates of criminal Behavior the trend in crime for ethnicity in the UK different ethnic
• 35:00 - 35:30 groups have varied rates of involvement with the criminal justice system statistics often show higher arrest rates stop and search incidents and incarceration rates for certain ethnic groups particularly black and minority ethnic individuals compared to their white counterparts however it's crucial to approach these statistics with caution recognizing that they might reflect wider social issues such as institutional racism or socioeconomic
• 35:30 - 36:00 disparities rather than innate criminal tendencies in any given ethnic group let's look at some theories that can explain these patterns firstly racism institutional racism refers to the policies and practices within an institution that are discriminatory against certain racial or ethnic groups so what's the implication of this if
• 36:00 - 36:30 institutions like the police courts or even schools have underlying biases individuals from targeted ethnic backgrounds May face disparities in arrest rates sentencing or educational opportunities this can perpetuate stereotypes and make individuals from these backgrounds more susceptible to criminal Behavior due to limited opportunities secondly labeling or selecting law enforcement this Theory suggests that
• 36:30 - 37:00 authorities for example the police might Target certain ethnic groups more than others based on racial or ethnic stereotypes so looking at the implication for this this heightened surveillance and targeting can lead to higher arrest and stop and search rates for these groups once labeled as potential criminals or troublemakers individuals might face difficulties in areas such as employment or educ ation pushing them towards deviant
• 37:00 - 37:30 behaviors thirdly strain and Status frustration rooted in the work of sociologists like mertin and Cohen this Theory posits that when individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means so due to barriers like poverty or discrimination they might experience strain or status frustration the implication minorities particularly in areas with high levels of poverty or
• 37:30 - 38:00 discrimination may feel disconnected from mainstream society's values in the absence of legitimate Avenues to success they might resort to Alternative means which could include criminal Behavior to achieve status or financial success an additional note on poverty poverty intersects with ethnicity in many complex ways in areas with limited resources and opportunities criminal Behavior might be
• 38:00 - 38:30 seen as one of the few viable means of achieving success or status ethnic minority groups that disproportionately experience poverty might therefore be more exposed to factors that encourage criminal Behavior to conclude it's essential to note that the relationship between ethnicity and crime is multifaceted and no sing Theory can capture all its complexities it's also crucial to avoid
• 38:30 - 39:00 overgeneralizing or stigmatizing any particular ethnic group based on these theories instead a more comprehensive approach that considers systemic issues socioeconomic factors and individual circumstances will offer a more nuanced understanding of the topic lesson 11 patterns in criminal and deviant Behavior a research has shown that individuals in
• 39:00 - 39:30 their teenage and young adult years are more likely to engage in criminal Behavior than those in other age groups this is often attributed to factors such as impulsivity lack of experience and peer pressure additionally individuals in their teenage and young adult years may be more likely to be influenced by peer pressure and to engage in risk-taking Behavior that can lead to criminal Behavior the trend in crime for
• 39:30 - 40:00 age youth especially those in their late teens and early 20s tend to have a higher association with crime compared to other age groups the crime rate typically peaks in late adolescents and then declines as individuals move into their 30s and Beyond this trend is observed for various offenses from minor misdemeanors to to more serious crimes it's worth noting that not all
• 40:00 - 40:30 young people engage in criminal activity and age is just one factor among many influencing criminal behavior let's investigate some theories that explain these patterns number one subcultures subcultures refer to groups that have values interest and behaviors distinct from those of the mainstream culture young people might join sub cultures is a way to establish an identity separate from
• 40:30 - 41:00 adults the implication some youth subcultures might promote or tolerate deviant or criminal Behavior membership in such a subculture can expose young individuals to criminal activities peer pressure and alternative value systems that condone or celebrate such behaviors number two drift boredom or risk-taking the concept of drift suggest that individuals especially youth move in and out of deviant Behavior based on
• 41:00 - 41:30 circumstances adolescence is a period of life where individuals might be more prone to boredom seeking excitement and taking risks the implication the combination of limited responsibilities a desire for excitement and less foresight about consequences can lead some young people to engage in criminal or deviant Acts this is often transient and many individuals grow out of such behaviors
• 41:30 - 42:00 as they age and acquire more responsibilities number three labeling labeling Theory revolves around the idea that if individuals are labeled in a particular way they might start to see themselves through that label leading them to act in ways consistent with it the implication young people especially those from certain back grounds or neighborhoods might be labeled as troublemakers or delinquents by
• 42:00 - 42:30 authorities teachers or even their own communities over time this can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where these young individuals internalize these labels and engage in the very Behavior they're associated with in conclusion the relationship between age and crime is multifaceted and while youth is associated with a higher propensity for criminal activity it's essential to understand the underlying sociological
• 42:30 - 43:00 factors at play factors like peer influence societal labels desire for excitement and the Aller of subcultural memberships can all influence a Young Person's propensity to engage in criminal activities however as individuals age and their circumstances responsibilities and perspectives change their likelihood of participating in such behaviors often
• 43:00 - 43:30 decreases Lesson 12 public debates over criminal and deviant Behavior there are many debates about criminal and deviant behavior let's look at some of the main topics firstly violent crime one of the most significant public debates over criminal and deviant behavior is related to violent crime there are concerns over the high rates of violent crime in certain areas and the impact this has on
• 43:30 - 44:00 individuals families and communities there is also debate over the most effective ways to address violent crime with some arguing for stricter law enforcement and harsher penalties while others advocate for more preventative measures such as addressing poverty and inequality some argue that the fear of violent crime is disproportionate sentencing there is an ongoing discussion about the effectiveness of
• 44:00 - 44:30 different sentencing options such as incarceration community service and Rehabilitation programs some argue that harsher sentences are necessary to deter criminal Behavior While others argue that Rehabilitation and restorative justice are more effective in reducing recidivism there are long-term negative impacts of prison and high recidivism rates in the UK next is the treatment of young
• 44:30 - 45:00 offenders there is an ongoing discussion about the most appropriate ways to address youth crime with some advocating for harsher penalties and harsher conditions in juvenile detention centers While others argue for more Rehabilitation focused approaches and investment in education being a better option and the long-term negative impact of prison on young people people for example mental health issues the prison
• 45:00 - 45:30 system there are concerns over the high rates of recidivism the conditions in prisons and the impact of incarceration on individuals families and communities there is also an ongoing discussion about the most effective ways to address these issues such as alternatives to incarceration prison reform and Rehabilitation programs media coverage of crime media coverage of crime is also a
• 45:30 - 46:00 significant public debate there is an ongoing discussion about the ways in which crime is represented in the media and the impact this has on public perceptions of crime and deviant some argue that media coverage of crime is sensationalized and can lead to fear and mistrust While others argue that is important for the public to be informed about crime and deviant there are two debates about media and crime to consider firstly does the media create
• 46:00 - 46:30 crime in society and secondly are the media biased in their presentation of crime EG moral panics lesson 13 data on crime the main sources of data on crime are official crime statistics and self-report studies official crime statistics are collected by law enforcement agencies and are considered the most reliable
• 46:30 - 47:00 source of data on crime they provide information on the number and types of crimes reported to and recorded by the police these statistics can be used to identify patterns and Trends in crime such as changes in the overall crime rate over time or differences in crime rates between different geographic regions however official crime statistics have some limitations s they only include crimes that are reported to the police and may not accurately
• 47:00 - 47:30 reflect the true extent of criminal activity as not all crimes are reported additionally official crime statistics can be affected by changes in policeing practices reporting procedures and crime recording practices self-report studies are another source of data on crime they involve asking individuals to report on their own criminal behavior these studies can provide a more accurate picture of the true extent
• 47:30 - 48:00 of criminal activity as they include both reported and unreported crimes however self-report studies also have limitations respondents may not be truthful about their criminal Behavior and the samples used in these studies may not be representative of the general population the dark figure of crime refers to the portion of crimin criminal activity that is not reported to or recorded by official sources such as the
• 48:00 - 48:30 police this can include crimes that go unreported as well as crimes that are reported but not recorded by law enforcement agencies there are several reasons why crime may not be reported or recorded for example victims may not feel comfortable reporting crimes to the police or they may not believe that the police will be able to help them additionally some crimes such as minor theft or vandalism may not be considered
• 48:30 - 49:00 worth reporting it's also important to know that crime reporting and recording practices can be affected by changes in legislation policies and Technology the dark figure of crime is difficult to estimate but it is widely acknowledge that official crime statistics likely underestimate the true level of criminal activity some experts estimate that the dark figure of crime could be as much as four
• 49:00 - 49:30 or five times higher than official crime statistics it is worth noting that the term dark figure of crime refers to the fact that this crime is not recorded not that it is illegal or morally wrong overall crime figures in the UK have been on a downward Trend in recent years according to data from the office for National statistics the on the overall crime rate in England and Wales decreased by 7% in the year ending
• 49:30 - 50:00 September 2020 compared to the previous year this is the lowest level of crime recorded since the survey began in 1981 violent crime including homicide has also decreased with a 4% decrease in the year end in September 2020 compared to the previous year property crime such as burglary and vehicle F have also decreased with a 9%
• 50:00 - 50:30 decrease in the year ending September 2020 compared to the previous year however there have been increases in certain types of crime for example fraud and cyber crime have increased with a 16% increase in the year end in September 2020 compared to the previous year Additionally the on has reported a significant increase in police recorded hate crime in recent years with a 9% increase in the year end in September
• 50:30 - 51:00 2020 compared to the previous year it is important to note that crime figures can be affected by changes in recording practices and improvements in technology which may impact the accuracy of the data functionalists would view the use of data on crime as necessary for the functioning of society they would argue that crime data that is accurate helps to identify patterns and Trends in criminal activity
• 51:00 - 51:30 which can then be used to develop and Implement effective crime prevention and control strategies additionally functionalists would likely argue that crime data can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies over time marxists would view the use of crime data through the lens of class inequality they would argue that crime data is used to justify the expansion of policing and criminal justice systems
• 51:30 - 52:00 which primarily serve the interests of the ruling class and reinforce the existing social and economic inequalities they would also critique that crime data often under represents crimes committed by the ruling class such as white collar crime which is often ignored by police additionally marxists would argue that crime data is used to further marginalize and CRI criminalize workingclass communities and individuals feminists would likely have
• 52:00 - 52:30 a more critical perspective on the use of crime data they might argue that crime data is often used to perpetuate stereotypes and biases against marginalized groups such as women and people of color feminists would also critique the fact that crime data often underrepresents crimes committed against women such as domestic violence and sexual assault they would also likely argue that crime data is used to justify the expansion of policing and criminal
• 52:30 - 53:00 justice systems which disproportionately impact marginalized communities ouch this is why in some videos I explain [Music] scratches [Music]