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Crime, deviance and social control
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Crime and deviance are related but not identical

Crime and deviance are related but not identical

Venn diagram comparing deviance only, crime only, and acts that are both such as burglary

Sociologists separate crime from deviance. Crime breaks formal law and is punishable by the state, while deviance breaks social norms and expectations. The diagram shows why the two ideas overlap but are not identical.

Crime, deviance and social control Lesson

  1. A Level
  2. /Sociology
  3. /Crime, deviance and social control

Step-by-step lessons on AQA A Level Sociology Crime, deviance and social control. Each one builds up to exam-style questions. Build a strong grasp of the core sociological perspectives (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism) early, since they underpin evaluation across every topic and exam question.