Crime, Deviance, Social Control and Social Order | A Level Sociology

Summary

This sociology tutorial video delves into the concepts of crime, deviance, social control, and social order. It emphasizes that these behaviors are socially constructed and subjective, influenced by factors like time, age, gender, and cultural norms. The video provides an overview of how various sociological theories—functionalist, subcultural, Marxist, feminist, interactionist, and realist—interpret crime and deviance, and their implications for social order and control. It also touches on how power dynamics and societal structures contribute to the creation and management of crime.

Takeaways

• 📚 Crime and deviance are socially constructed and subjective, depending on factors like time, age, gender, cultural norms, and values.
• 🔍 Sociological theories explore not only the causes of crime and deviance but also their impacts on social order and how social control is maintained.
• 👥 Functionalists view crime as having both positive and negative impacts on social order, with social control maintained through adherence to society's moral code.
• 🌐 Durkheim suggests that crime can reinforce social order by highlighting collective values and norms.
• 🚦 Mertens argues that the existing social order, characterized by inequality, causes crime as people conform to idealized norms and values.
• 👮‍♂️ Hershey explains that those less integrated into society are more likely to become criminal due to weaker social control mechanisms.
• 🏢 Subcultural theories, like those of Cohen and Cloward, propose that some groups form subcultures with their own norms and values as a reaction to societal rejection and structural disadvantages.
• 🏛 Marxist perspectives focus on the power dynamics between the ruling and working classes, suggesting that the ruling class uses ideology and force to control the working class.
• 🚸 Neo-Marxists believe that individuals develop agency to resist exploitation and oppression, sometimes manifesting in criminal behaviors.
• 👩‍🏫 Feminist theories examine the differential social control over males and females and how it influences crime rates and societal responses.
• 👥 Interactionists consider crime a result of social interactions and the labeling process, which can lead to social isolation and further marginalization.

Q & A

What are the key concepts discussed in the video script related to sociology?

The key concepts discussed include crime, deviance, social control, and social order. The script explores how these concepts are socially constructed and influenced by factors such as time, age, gender, cultural norms, and values.

How do sociologists view crime and deviance as socially constructed?

Sociologists view crime and deviance as socially constructed because they are dependent on the social location where the act occurs and are influenced by social opinion, norms, and values of a society.

What is the role of time, age, gender, and cultural norms in determining crime and deviance?

Time, age, gender, and cultural norms are factors that influence whether an act is considered criminal or deviant, as they shape social opinion and societal norms and values.

What does the script suggest about the relationship between crime and social order?

The script suggests that crime can have both positive and negative impacts on social order and social control, and that those in power use various methods to maintain social order.

How do functionalists view the function of crime and deviance in society?

Functionalists view crime and deviance as having a role in maintaining social order and control through adherence to society's collective conscience or moral code.

What are Durkheim's views on the functions of crime and deviance?

Durkheim believed that crime has both positive and negative impacts on social order and social control, although the script does not detail these functions explicitly.

How does the existing social order cause crime according to Mertens?

Mertens suggests that the existing social order causes crime because society is unequal, yet social structures expect people to conform to an idealized set of norms and values.

What is the role of subcultural groups in crime and deviance according to subcultural theories?

Subcultural theories suggest that some groups react to societal norms and values because they cannot achieve socially approved goals due to structural disadvantages, leading them to seek status through deviant activities.

How do Marxist views on crime and deviance differ from traditional views?

Marxist views focus on the unequal power relationships between the ruling and working classes, suggesting that the ruling class uses power to control the working class through ideology and physical force, while ignoring crimes of the powerful.

What is the feminist perspective on crime and deviance as mentioned in the script?

The feminist perspective focuses on the different levels of control over males and females and how this is reflected in the reporting, recording, and punishment of crime, with some suggesting that controls on women are diminishing and leading to increased female criminality.

How do interactionists view the process of labeling in relation to crime and deviance?

Interactionists view the process of labeling as a form of social control that can lead to social isolation for those labeled as criminal or deviant, forcing them to obtain status from others who have also been marginalized.

What are the differences between right and left realist theories in addressing crime?

Right realists focus on controlling individuals through time, social spaces, and personal freedoms, while left realists look to restore social order by tackling inequalities and providing opportunities for legitimate status gain.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Introduction to Crime, Deviance, Social Control, and Order

This paragraph introduces the sociological study of crime and deviance, emphasizing that these behaviors are socially constructed and subjective, influenced by factors such as time, age, gender, and cultural norms. It highlights that sociologists examine not only the causes of crime but also its impact on social order and how power structures maintain order through social control. The paragraph sets the stage for an exploration of various sociological theories, including functionalism, which views crime as having both positive and negative impacts on social order, and subcultural theories that attribute crime to societal inequality and the formation of subcultures as a response to mainstream rejection.

05:02

🌐 Sociological Theories on Crime and Deviance

This paragraph delves into different sociological perspectives on crime and deviance. It discusses functionalist theories, including Durkheim's view on crime's role in maintaining social order and Merten's argument that social order itself causes crime due to societal inequality. It also covers subcultural theories by Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin, which suggest that some groups form subcultures to gain status through deviant activities when they cannot achieve mainstream goals. The paragraph further explores Marxist views on crime as a result of power imbalances, with traditional Marxists focusing on ruling class control and neo-Marxists on individual resistance to exploitation. Feminist theories are mentioned, pointing out gendered social controls and changes in female criminality. Interactionist theories are also highlighted, focusing on the social definition of deviance and the media's role in social control and labeling. Lastly, realist theories are introduced, with right realists advocating for harsher punishments and left realists for addressing societal inequalities to reduce crime.

Keywords

💡Crime

Crime refers to actions that are considered illegal under the laws of a society. In the video, crime is discussed as a socially constructed concept, meaning its definition and perception can vary depending on cultural norms, values, and societal structures. The video emphasizes that what constitutes a crime is not universal but is influenced by factors such as time, age, gender, and cultural values.

💡Deviance

Deviance is behavior that deviates from the social norms and expectations of a particular group or society. The video explains that deviance, like crime, is socially constructed and subjective, depending on the social location and the prevailing norms and values. It is highlighted that both criminal and deviant behaviors are shaped by societal opinions and norms.

💡Social Control

Social control refers to the mechanisms and processes by which society influences and directs the behavior of individuals in order to maintain order and conformity to societal norms. The video discusses how those in power use various methods of social control to maintain social order and prevent deviant behavior, including laws, norms, and cultural expectations.

💡Social Order

Social order is the state of a society where there is a sense of stability, predictability, and adherence to norms and values. The video explores how sociologists examine the impact of crime and deviance on social order and how different sociological theories view the maintenance of this order through social control.

💡Functionalism

Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. In the video, functionalists like Durkheim are mentioned for their examination of how crime and deviance can have both positive and negative impacts on social order and how social control is maintained through adherence to society's moral code.

💡Subcultural Theories

Subcultural theories focus on how certain groups within society develop their own norms and values in response to mainstream societal expectations. The video explains that subcultural theorists like Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin suggest that some groups, due to structural disadvantages, form subcultures that may engage in criminal and deviant activities as a means to achieve status that is not available to them in the wider society.

💡Marxist Views

Marxist views on crime and deviance emphasize the role of power dynamics between the ruling and working classes. The video mentions that traditional Marxists argue that the ruling class uses ideology and force to control the working class, while neo-Marxists suggest that individuals may engage in criminal behaviors as a form of resistance against exploitation and oppression.

💡Feminist Perspectives

Feminist perspectives focus on the gendered aspects of social control and how they impact the reporting, recording, and punishment of crime. The video discusses how feminists like Heidensohn and Carlen argue that women are subject to different social controls that limit their opportunities to commit crime and are policed through informal societal norms.

💡Interactionism

Interactionism is a sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of social interactions in the creation of social phenomena. The video explains that interactionists view crime as a result of interactions between individuals and how deviance is defined by society, particularly through the media and other social institutions. It also discusses how labeling can lead to social isolation and reinforce deviant behavior.

💡Realist Theories

Realist theories view crime as a serious societal problem that requires practical solutions. The video distinguishes between left and right realists, with right realists advocating for controlling individuals and harsher punishments, while left realists focus on addressing societal inequalities to reduce crime by providing legitimate opportunities for social mobility.

Highlights

Crime and deviance are socially constructed and dependent on social location.

Factors influencing criminality include time, age, gender, cultural norms, and values.

Sociological theories examine causes and impacts of crime and deviance on social order.

Functionalists view crime and deviance as maintaining social order through adherence to society's moral code.

Durkheim suggests crime has both positive and negative impacts on social order.

Merton argues that existing social order causes crime due to unequal societal structures.

Subcultural theorists like Cohen and Cloward suggest that some groups form subcultures as a reaction to societal norms.

Marxist views focus on power dynamics between the ruling and working classes in crime causation.

Neo-Marxists propose that individuals develop agency in response to ruling class controls.

Feminist theories highlight differential social control over males and females in crime.

Interactionists see crime as a result of individual interactions and societal labeling.

Realist theories view crime as a serious societal issue requiring realistic solutions.

Right realists advocate controlling individuals and increasing punishments for non-conformity.

Left realists aim to restore social order by addressing societal inequalities.

The video series will explore these theories and their explanations for crime, deviance, social control, and social order in-depth.

Transcripts

welcome to this tutor to you sociology

topic video in this video we're going to

focus on crime deviance social control

and social order

in the study of crime and deviant it's

important to note that both criminal and

deviant behavior are socially

constructed

that is they are dependent upon the

social location in which the act occurs

factors influencing whether or not

something is criminal or deviant include

time age gender cultural norms and

values

all of this means that crime and

deviance are subjective they depend upon

social opinion upon the norms and values

of a society

sociological theories often look to

explain crime and deviance by examining

the causes of crime but this is not the

only area that they look at

sociologists also consider the impact of

crime on the orderliness of society the

social order and look to explain how

those in power try to maintain social

order through methods of social control

in this video we're going to take a

brief overview of how each of the main

sociological approaches view crime

deviance social order and social control

in society

functionalists are one of the earliest

group of sociologists to examine the

function of crime and deviance in

society and how it impacts on the social

order and how society controls people's

behaviors they argue that social order

and social control are maintained

through adherence to the collective

conscience of society that is society's

moral code about what is right and wrong

durkheim focused on the impacts of crime

on the established social order and

suggested the crime has both positive

and negative impacts on social order and

social control and we'll examine

durkheim's functions of crime and

deviance in our next video

another function is mertens suggest that

it is the existing social order that

causes crime society is unequal yet

social structures expect people to

conform to an idealized set of norms and

values

while hershey a later functionalist

explain the role of social control in

preventing deviant behavior arguing that

those less integrated into society are

more likely to become criminal

subcultural theories of crime and

deviance mostly fall under the broader

banner of functionalism particularly

given the role that they assign to

socialization in the process of deviant

activities

subcultural theorists such as cohen and

chloe nolan suggest that some groups in

society react to the norms and values of

society because they're unable to

achieve socially approved goals

as a result of structural disadvantages

they seek opportunities to gain status

through membership of subcultural groups

these groups have often reacted to

society's value consensus and set up

norms and values of their own in

opposition

this helps them to achieve status

something they are denied in wider

society

and often this status comes from

criminal and deviant activities

as a reaction to being rejected by

mainstream society

marxist views of crime and deviance

focused on the unequal power

relationships between the ruling and

working classes

traditional marxists will suggest that

the ruling class use their power to

exert control over the working classes

through ideology and through physical

force

what althus are referred to as the

ideological and repressive state

apparatuses

alongside these controls the ruling

class will ignore the crimes of the

powerful and have excessive focus on the

crimes of the powerless

often through using other institutions

such as the media religion and family to

center on disciplining the working class

neo-marxist suggests that individuals

often develop a form of agency in

response to the excessive controls of

the ruling class and that this results

in criminal behaviors that are a form of

resistance against the exploitation and

oppression they face marxists also

suggest that the ruling class use

punishment as a form of control over the

masses in the hope that excessive

punishment will reinforce social order

feminists perhaps unsurprisingly focused

on the different levels of control over

males and females and how this is

reflected in reporting recording and

punishment of crime

both heidensen and carlin suggest that

women are subjected to social controls

that limit their opportunities to commit

crime and are effectively policed

through informal controls on their

behavior in society which constrains

them others such as adler suggest that

controls on women are diminishing and

suggests that this has led to increased

female criminality

interactionists see crime as a result of

the interactions between individuals

they also suggest that deviance is not

defined by the individual but by wider

society

particularly agencies such as media

religion education and family

they also suggest that the media is used

as a form of social control over deviant

behaviors often amplifying petty

offenses and generating moral panics and

folk devils

usually betraying the underdogs of

society in a negative light

interactionists also focus on the

process of labeling as a form of social

control leading to social isolation for

those labeled as criminal or deviant

which forces them to obtain status from

others that have also been marginalized

finally realist theories now realist

theories see crime as a serious problem

in society and one that requires

realistic solutions

closely associated with different

political ideologies on the left and

right

left and right realists both advocate

means to solve crime however they differ

drastically in their approaches to this

right realists focus on controlling

individuals through time social spaces

and indeed personal freedoms

those that do not conform have reduced

opportunities to commit crime or are

subjected to harsher punishments if they

do commit crime including prison

sentences

left realists however look to restore

social order through tackling the

inequalities that are present in society

giving people opportunities to gain

status through legitimate means

in this series of topic videos we're

going to look closely at these different

theories and how they explain crime and

deviance and how they view social

control and social order

that concludes this chieftain sociology

topic video on crime deviance social

control and social order thanks for

watching