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Criminology

6 Dec 2025

164

2 pages

Comparing Criminal Behavior and Deviance: Exploring Crime's Social Construction

user profile picture

tiffanysrevisionsession <3 @tiffanysrevisionsession

Laws aren't set in stone - they constantly evolve based on society's changing values, cultural shifts, and public... Show more

Loubs changing over time.
•Deciminalisanon = homosexuality
Gcriminalisarion = the Psychoacnive
Substances ACE 2016
Laws changing fom place t

How Laws Change Over Time and Place

Ever wonder why cannabis laws vary so dramatically between countries, or why the death penalty was abolished in the UK? Laws are constantly shifting based on what society believes is right or wrong at any given moment.

Decriminalisation has transformed many behaviours - homosexuality was once illegal but became accepted, whilst new laws like the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 criminalised previously legal drugs. Even within the UK, different regions can apply laws differently, with 43 separate police areas in England and Wales each having slightly different approaches.

Two landmark cases show how public opinion can drive legal change. Derek Bentley's execution for attempted murder of a policeman sparked massive protests - despite his mental health issues, 200 MPs and media campaigns couldn't save him initially. Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, shot her abusive boyfriend and received overwhelming public support from women's groups, with 600 letters sent to the Home Office.

Key Point Both cases contributed to abolishing the death penalty, proving that public campaigns can reshape our entire legal system.

The social construction of crime means different cultures define deviance differently. Howard Becker's labelling theory argues that societies create rules about deviance and apply them unequally - it's not the act itself that's criminal, but society's reaction to it.

Loubs changing over time.
•Deciminalisanon = homosexuality
Gcriminalisarion = the Psychoacnive
Substances ACE 2016
Laws changing fom place t

Understanding Crime vs Deviance

You'll need to nail the distinction between criminality and deviance for your exams - they're related but definitely not the same thing. Crime breaks actual laws and gets you punished through courts, whilst deviance simply violates social norms and expectations.

Criminal behaviour requires two elements actus reus (the physical act) and mens rea (criminal intent). This separates genuine crimes from accidents. The Criminal Justice System handles these through formal sanctions - custody, fines, community sentences, or discharges after court proceedings.

Deviant behaviour covers a much broader range - from queue jumping to facial tattoos. Émile Durkheim explained that deviance actually helps society by reinforcing our "collective consciousness" of right and wrong. Most deviant acts aren't criminal (like shouting in a library), though some criminal acts aren't seen as particularly deviant by everyone.

Remember Not all deviant behaviour is criminal, and not all criminal behaviour is considered deviant by society.

Informal sanctions handle most deviance through social disapproval, embarrassment, or exclusion - no courts needed. However, when deviant behaviour becomes widely condemned enough, society often creates laws against it, turning deviance into crime through formal sanctions.

The criminalisation process shows how fluid these boundaries are - what's deviant today might be criminal tomorrow, and what's criminal now might become accepted later.

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Thomas R

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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

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Criminology

164

6 Dec 2025

2 pages

Comparing Criminal Behavior and Deviance: Exploring Crime's Social Construction

user profile picture

tiffanysrevisionsession <3

@tiffanysrevisionsession

Laws aren't set in stone - they constantly evolve based on society's changing values, cultural shifts, and public pressure. What's considered criminal in one place or time period might be perfectly legal elsewhere, showing us that crime is largely a... Show more

Loubs changing over time.
•Deciminalisanon = homosexuality
Gcriminalisarion = the Psychoacnive
Substances ACE 2016
Laws changing fom place t

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

How Laws Change Over Time and Place

Ever wonder why cannabis laws vary so dramatically between countries, or why the death penalty was abolished in the UK? Laws are constantly shifting based on what society believes is right or wrong at any given moment.

Decriminalisation has transformed many behaviours - homosexuality was once illegal but became accepted, whilst new laws like the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 criminalised previously legal drugs. Even within the UK, different regions can apply laws differently, with 43 separate police areas in England and Wales each having slightly different approaches.

Two landmark cases show how public opinion can drive legal change. Derek Bentley's execution for attempted murder of a policeman sparked massive protests - despite his mental health issues, 200 MPs and media campaigns couldn't save him initially. Ruth Ellis, the last woman executed in Britain, shot her abusive boyfriend and received overwhelming public support from women's groups, with 600 letters sent to the Home Office.

Key Point: Both cases contributed to abolishing the death penalty, proving that public campaigns can reshape our entire legal system.

The social construction of crime means different cultures define deviance differently. Howard Becker's labelling theory argues that societies create rules about deviance and apply them unequally - it's not the act itself that's criminal, but society's reaction to it.

Loubs changing over time.
•Deciminalisanon = homosexuality
Gcriminalisarion = the Psychoacnive
Substances ACE 2016
Laws changing fom place t

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Understanding Crime vs Deviance

You'll need to nail the distinction between criminality and deviance for your exams - they're related but definitely not the same thing. Crime breaks actual laws and gets you punished through courts, whilst deviance simply violates social norms and expectations.

Criminal behaviour requires two elements: actus reus (the physical act) and mens rea (criminal intent). This separates genuine crimes from accidents. The Criminal Justice System handles these through formal sanctions - custody, fines, community sentences, or discharges after court proceedings.

Deviant behaviour covers a much broader range - from queue jumping to facial tattoos. Émile Durkheim explained that deviance actually helps society by reinforcing our "collective consciousness" of right and wrong. Most deviant acts aren't criminal (like shouting in a library), though some criminal acts aren't seen as particularly deviant by everyone.

Remember: Not all deviant behaviour is criminal, and not all criminal behaviour is considered deviant by society.

Informal sanctions handle most deviance through social disapproval, embarrassment, or exclusion - no courts needed. However, when deviant behaviour becomes widely condemned enough, society often creates laws against it, turning deviance into crime through formal sanctions.

The criminalisation process shows how fluid these boundaries are - what's deviant today might be criminal tomorrow, and what's criminal now might become accepted later.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

1

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Similar content

Crime in Media Analysis

Explore the intricate relationship between media representations and crime, focusing on how newspapers, television, gaming, and music portray criminal activities. This summary delves into the factors that make stories newsworthy, the impact of social media on crime perception, and the glorification of criminal behavior in popular culture. Ideal for media studies and criminology students.

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Explore the sociological theories of crime through the lenses of Marxism and Interactionism. This study note delves into key concepts such as labelling theory, selective law enforcement, and the impact of capitalism on criminal behavior. Evaluation points highlight strengths and weaknesses of each theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance. Ideal for students studying sociology and criminology.

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4.9/5

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user