DEVIANCE AND CRIME

CONTINUOUS INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 1

Submitted To: Uttam Kumar Panda

Submitted By: Kushal Agrawal

Enrollment Id: 22/2022/2644

Section: C, Semester 1(B.A LLB)

 INTRODUCTION

When an individual deviates from a given set of rules and regulations, he is

said to have committed a wrong in a societal setting. The level of deviation
determines how wrong is! It helps to know if it is a mischievous act or a
serious crime.

“Deviance and crime are not synonymous, although in many cases, they
overlap1.” Deviance is a broad term that can be sanctioned both formally and
informally and can be both individualistic and societal. In contrast, crime is a
narrower term punished through a formal channel.

● There are many aspects and nuances behind committing a crime, such
as biological, psychological, cultural, etc. The most important of all is
the sociological aspect of committing a crime.
● Biological or physical tendencies were said to be the most prominent
aspect behind identifying a set of people who can commit a crime.
Cesare Lombroso (an Italian criminologist) wrote in his book
L'Homme Criminel that criminal types could be identified through
their countenance. He said that physical appearances such as the shape
of the skull and forehead, the color of eyes, and muscles could be used
to recognize a criminal. The human body is categorized into three
body types: Mesomorphs, Ectomorphs, and Endomorphs.
Mesomorphs are said to be the most muscular. According to a theory,
mesomorphs are said to be impulsive and aggressive and therefore
more prone to commit a crime compared to skinny body types such as
Ectomorphs and Endomorphs.
● The psychological tendency is another critical factor to consider while
detecting a criminal. This aspect is individual-specific, not societal, in
nature. Psychology delves deeper into the mental state of an
1
“Giddens, A., & Sutton, P. W. (2011). Sociology (6. ed., reprint). Polity Press”
 individual. Psychopaths are the individuals who are said to be the
most prone to commit a crime. A psychopath is a mental state in
which one lacks empathy and has no guilt towards whatever he does.
Thus, we can conclude that most psychopaths commit a crime, but
vice versa is not valid.
● Both biological and psychological approaches to criminality focus on
deviance in an individual rather than with society.

Four sociological approaches to Deviance and Crime:

1. Functionalist theory

This idea contends that certain norms and practices must be in place for
society to continue operating as intended. People who subscribe to this idea
think criminal behavior and departure from the norm are necessary
components of social cohesion and can contribute to societal stabilization.

2. Interactionist theory

Contrary to earlier sociological philosophers, interactionists questioned how

and why certain people were labeled as deviants and others were not. They did
not subscribe to the idea that deviance was caused by innate internal qualities
or some biological element generated by heredity.

3. Conflict theory
The proponents of this idea in sociology contend that rather than being innate
or brought on by biological and psychological reasons, it is a purposeful
response made by the populace to the systemic disparities that exist in society.
According to the notion of social conflict, society is rife with inequality, which
breeds social conflict and, in turn, causes society to change. Karl Marx was the
prominent advocate of this idea and is also regarded as the originator of the
social conflict theory. He claims that society is set up in a way that solely
benefits the wealthy minority or the upper class. Conflict theorists contend that
community is split into two major groups: the working class and the
capitalists. As a result of the capitalists making rules and regulations that
benefit them, the working class is harmed by these laws. Here, both the
capitalists and the working class engage in immoral behavior, but due to the
system the capitalists constructed, each group is put in a distinct circumstance.

4. Control theory

Control theory states that crime occurs when there is a conflict between
criminal activity and the societal barriers which try to prevent it. There are
four types of bonds an individual has with society i,e: Attachment,
Commitment, Involvement, and Belief. When these bonds are not sufficiently
strong in society, it leads to deviance in an individual, and self-control fails,
Ultimately leading to crime.

DEVIANCE AND CRIME IN THE COURSE OF LIFE

According to criminological research, conviction is mostly peaks in

adolescence and declines subsequently, this demonstrates the significant
correlation between age and crime. We concentrate on changes in deviant
behavior over time and the effects it has on society, in line with a life-course
viewpoint.

The analysis of life-course dynamics is based on two key ideas. A trajectory is

a course of growth across a person's lifetime, such as their career, marriage,
family life, level of self-esteem, and criminal activity. Long-term behavioural
patterns and sequences are referred to as trajectories. Specific life events (such
as buying a first car or house) that are fixed in path and develop over a shorter
period can be termed transitions.

“Caspi et al (1990: 25) argues that delays in social transitions (e.g., being
"off-time") produce conflicting obligations that enhance later difficulties”2.
Because of this, life-course assessments frequently emphasize the length,
timing, and sequencing of significant life events, as well as how these
experiences affect subsequent social development. These deviant behaviours
often lead to committing a crime.

CONCLUSION: Corrective measure for Deviance and Crime

Most nations still use purposeful death, harsh restrictions on the rights of men,
women, and children, as well as hard labour, solitary incarceration, floggings,
and food deprivation as forms of punishment.

2
“Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1992). Crime and Deviance in the Life Course. Annual
Review of Sociology, 18, 63–84. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2083446”
It significantly limits the offender's communication with his or her partner,
children, family members, and friends. The effects of modern world
punishmentis much more harmful and humiliating than it is intended causing
severe mental and physical trauma. The convicted offender experiences
bullying, abuse, unjust treatment, and humiliation.

Therefore, it is appropriate that the entire system of criminal law, crime, and
punishment be periodically reviewed to ascertain whether it comprises the
morally best institutions and whether any alternative social institutions have
equivalent or superior moral justifications to the system of criminal law,
crime, and punishment and that can accomplish the goals of criminal law and
punishment at a lower cost.

REFERENCES
1. “Sampson, R. J., & Laub, J. H. (1992). Crime and Deviance in the Life
Course.  Annual Review of Sociology, 18, 63–84.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2083446”

2. “Philip W. Sutton, Anthony Giddens. Sociology 6th edition.

Polity Press; 2009”
3. “McCloskey, H. J. (1978). Crime and Punishment: Deviance
and Corrective Social Therapy. American Philosophical
Quarterly, 15(2), 91–98.”
“http://www.jstor.org/stable/20009700”