definitions

• Crime


  An act that is against the law
• Deviance


  An action that is considered wrong and goes against the norms of society.
• Relativity of crime


  The idea that crime can differ based on its social/historical context
• Relativity of crime - time


  What is considered criminal and deviant changes over time. What once was acceptable may become illegal and vice versaPre 1945, abortion and homosexuality were seen as deviant but are now notSmoking in public buildings was considered a norm but is now illegal
• Relativity of crime - culture

  Different cultures have different rules and expectations. What is considered a crime in some cultures is not in allSaudi Arabia - illegal for women to interact in public with menUSA - gun laws
• Relativity of crime - age


  Some behaviours are acceptable for certain age groups and illegal for others.Age restrictions on certain items - 8 year old clubbing on a friday
• Relativity of crime - reactions 


  What is considered deviant depends on people reactions to the actDrug dealer on corner of street vs pharmacists
• Agencies of social control


  Institutions that influence the process of social control - e.g. families, schools or the police
• Formal social control


  Social control that is carried out by authorised agents, such as police officers, judges, school administrators, and employers.China - Monitored by gov via face recognition
• Informal social control


  Social control carried out by agencies such as education system, family, peer group and the media
• Social construction of crime and deviance

  Crime and deviance is created and defined by societies
• The dark figure of crime


  Crime that is not reported to the police and that remains unknown to officials.
• Police discretion


  The power held by police officers to decide who is actually arrestedCorrupt officer