Ever wondered why people follow rules and what happens when...
Sociology155 views·Updated 13 Aug 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Sociology: Crime and Deviance
Charlotte🫶🏻@charlotte.100
1
of 2
Understanding Crime and Deviance
Crime is straightforward - it's any illegal action that breaks criminal law, like robbery, identity theft, or terrorism. You'll get punished by the legal system if you're caught doing these things.
Deviance is trickier because it's about behaviour that goes against society's unwritten rules or norms. What's considered deviant can vary massively between different people, cultures, and time periods - think about how attitudes towards tattoos or same-sex relationships have changed over the decades.
There are two main theories about how society maintains social order. Functionalism suggests that most people agree on basic values and norms through socialisation, so we naturally follow the rules. Marxism argues that the ruling class (bourgeoisie) uses their power to create laws that benefit them and control the working class (proletariat).
Formal social control operates through official channels with written laws. The House of Parliament makes laws, police enforce them, and the prison service punishes lawbreakers. This system gives the state real power to control people's behaviour through legal consequences.
Quick Tip: Remember that crime is always illegal, but deviance isn't necessarily criminal - it just goes against social expectations.
2
of 2
How Society Controls Behaviour
Informal social control happens through everyday social pressure rather than official laws. It's based on unwritten rules and relies on how other people react to your behaviour - their approval or disapproval keeps you in line.
The main agencies of informal social control are the people closest to you: family members, friends, and colleagues. These same groups also act as agencies of socialisation, teaching you what's acceptable in the first place.
These agencies use sanctions to encourage or discourage behaviour. Positive sanctions reward you when you meet group expectations - like praise, smiles, or inclusion in activities. Negative sanctions punish poor conformity through things like criticism, dirty looks, or social exclusion.
This informal system is incredibly powerful because humans naturally want to belong and be accepted. You'll often change your behaviour to avoid disappointing people you care about, even when there's no legal consequence involved.
Remember: Informal control often influences your daily choices more than formal laws - you're more likely to worry about what your mates think than what the police think!
We thought you’d never ask...
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Sociology155 views·Updated 13 Aug 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Sociology: Crime and Deviance
Charlotte🫶🏻@charlotte.100
Ever wondered why people follow rules and what happens when they don't? Crime and deviance are all about understanding when behaviour crosses the line and how society keeps order through both official laws and unwritten social rules.
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Understanding Crime and Deviance
Crime is straightforward - it's any illegal action that breaks criminal law, like robbery, identity theft, or terrorism. You'll get punished by the legal system if you're caught doing these things.
Deviance is trickier because it's about behaviour that goes against society's unwritten rules or norms. What's considered deviant can vary massively between different people, cultures, and time periods - think about how attitudes towards tattoos or same-sex relationships have changed over the decades.
There are two main theories about how society maintains social order. Functionalism suggests that most people agree on basic values and norms through socialisation, so we naturally follow the rules. Marxism argues that the ruling class (bourgeoisie) uses their power to create laws that benefit them and control the working class (proletariat).
Formal social control operates through official channels with written laws. The House of Parliament makes laws, police enforce them, and the prison service punishes lawbreakers. This system gives the state real power to control people's behaviour through legal consequences.
Quick Tip: Remember that crime is always illegal, but deviance isn't necessarily criminal - it just goes against social expectations.
2
of 2Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
How Society Controls Behaviour
Informal social control happens through everyday social pressure rather than official laws. It's based on unwritten rules and relies on how other people react to your behaviour - their approval or disapproval keeps you in line.
The main agencies of informal social control are the people closest to you: family members, friends, and colleagues. These same groups also act as agencies of socialisation, teaching you what's acceptable in the first place.
These agencies use sanctions to encourage or discourage behaviour. Positive sanctions reward you when you meet group expectations - like praise, smiles, or inclusion in activities. Negative sanctions punish poor conformity through things like criticism, dirty looks, or social exclusion.
This informal system is incredibly powerful because humans naturally want to belong and be accepted. You'll often change your behaviour to avoid disappointing people you care about, even when there's no legal consequence involved.
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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.
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