General

Question 1

Who said deviance was a ‘relative concept’?

What did he mean?

Answer 1

• Becker (interactionist)
• not a set definition
• based on interpretation, subjective

Question 2

Give an example of a deviant but not criminal act

Answer 2

• attempting to haggle at a supermarket

Question 3

Give an example of a criminal but not deviant act

Answer 3

• speeding, drinking underage

Question 4

Give an example of a deviant and criminal act

Answer 4

• public nudity, theft

Question 5

In what sense could crime be considered fluid?

Answer 5

• it is historically, socially constructed - changes across countries, time periods etc

Question 6

Give examples of agencies of social control

Answer 6

• police, courts/judges, social workers

Question 7

Give examples that would show how crime is socially constructed

Answer 7

• if enough people feel an act should be made formally deviant - it might, eg. stalking, using mobiles when driving
• if enough people feel an act needs to be informally deviant there may be pressure on the legal system to comply eg. cannabis has now been downgraded