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The sociology of crime and deviance

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How is crime measured and how reliable are the statistics?

Data on crime, including official statistics, victim surveys and self-report studies, the dark figure of unreported crime, and patterns of crime by age, class, gender and ethnicity.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology crime topic, covering how crime is measured through official statistics, victim surveys and self-report studies, the dark figure of crime, and patterns of offending.
9 min answer →

What is the difference between crime and deviance?

Defining crime and deviance, the difference between the two, and the idea that deviance is socially constructed and varies by time, place and culture.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology crime topic, covering the definitions of crime and deviance, the difference between them, and how deviance is socially constructed and varies by time, place and culture.
8 min answer →

How does society control people's behaviour?

Social control, including formal and informal agencies of social control, sanctions, and the role of agencies such as the family, education, the police and the courts.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology crime topic, covering social control through formal and informal agencies, positive and negative sanctions, and the role of agencies such as the family, police and courts.
8 min answer →

How do sociologists explain why crime happens?

Theories of crime and deviance, including Durkheim's functionalist view, Merton's strain theory, Marxist explanations, and the interactionist labelling theory of Becker.
A focused answer to the AQA GCSE Sociology crime topic, covering the main theories of crime: Durkheim's functionalism, Merton's strain theory, the Marxist view and Becker's labelling theory.
10 min answer →