The Distinction Between Crime and Deviance Essay example -- criminal l

Crime statistics exist entirely to measure levels of crime inside society; so, the purpose of this essay is to illustrate whether or not the statistical data on crime and deviance provides a true measurement of criminal occurrences in British society. The distinction between crime and deviance is going to be explored and a clear understanding of how they differentiate from each other will be gained. The terms Formal and Informal social control will be identified and their differences determined. In particular, official crime statistics will be analysed to gain an understanding of how accurate such data is in portraying the true figures of crime. Furthermore, key terms such as dark figure, reported crime and recorded crime will be incorporated in to this essay and defined appropriately. Crime and deviance are behaviours that violate the social norms or laws of society, all crime is deviant behaviour, but not all deviance is crime. Tappan describes crime as an act that has been intentionally carried out in order to violate criminal law and one that is sanctioned by the state as a criminal act (Cliffnotes, 2013). Another description of crime depicts it as a behaviour that breaks the laws of the land and is punishable in a court of law (sociologytwynham, 2008). There are various categories of crime, each with their own sociological profile. Personal crimes include actions such as murder or rape. Crimes against property involve deeds such as theft, arson, or burglary. Victimless crimes have no willing complainant; these can be crimes such as prostitution, illegal gambling or drug abuse. White-collar crime is perpetrated by individuals who hold high social status within society. These individuals will carry out crimes suc... ...anuary 2014]. Jansson, K., 2007. www.webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk. [Online] Available at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/bcs25.pdf [Accessed 5 January 2014]. Sociology.org, 2014. www.sociology.org.uk. [Online] Available at: http://www.sociology.org.uk/wsdo9.htm [Accessed 4 January 2014]. Sociology Twynham, 2008. www.sociologytwynham.com. [Online] Available at: http://sociologytwynham.com/2008/06/10/defining-crime-and-deviance/ [Accessed 2 January 2014]. The Office of National Statistics, 2013. www.ons.gov.uk. [Online] Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending-march-2013/sty-crime-in-england-and-wales.html [Accessed 5 January 2014]. TNS.BMRB, 2012. www.crimesurvey.co.uk. [Online] Available at: http://www.crimesurvey.co.uk/ [Accessed 5 January 2014].