Control, Punishment & Victims (AQA A Level Sociology): Exam Questions

Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.

Item B

Societies attempt to prevent or control crime in various ways. These may range from simple prevention strategies to tough punishments aimed at deterring would-be offenders. They may also include policies to tackle the underlying causes of crime.

One important type of crime control today is surveillance. This involves monitoring people's behaviour. Surveillance may also include profiling people in terms of their gender, nationality or other characteristics to determine what level of risk they pose.

Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate sociological contributions to our understanding of crime prevention and control.

Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.

Item A

Some argue that social order is maintained in society by reinforcing social solidarity. Others argue that the ruling class maintain social order by controlling the working class.

Punishment may help to maintain social order.

Applying material from Item A, analyse two ways that punishment may help to maintain social order.

Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.

Item A

There are differences between social classes in levels of deprivation and access to resources. There are also higher recorded levels of violence committed by people from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

There are reasons for social class differences in becoming a victim of crime.

Applying material from Item A, analyse two reasons for social class differences in becoming a victim of crime.

Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.

Crime reduction strategies make assumptions about why and how offenders commit their crimes. Such strategies also make assumptions about what crimes it is important to reduce and about the role or impact of criminal justice agencies.

Applying material from Item A, analyse two reasons why crime reduction strategies may not always be successful.