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 flesh out whether or not the statistical information on crime and deviance provides a true measurement of criminal occurrences in British society. The distinction betwixt 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 free-and-easy 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 compound in to this essay and defined appropriately. Crime and deviance are behaviours that violate the social norms or laws of society, totally 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 call down 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 greet 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 quest 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.pdfAccessed 5 January 20 14.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.