As OCS is social construct, different actors involved in constructing the figures to distort the reality of crime. Although OCS is not reliable, we can still learn something from it. In the following, we will discuss the reliability of OCS and explain what problems are involved during the procedure of OCS and discover the merits of OCS. Definition of social construct Social construct refers to “persons and groups interacting together in a social system form, over time, concepts or mental representations of each other's actions, and that these concepts eventually become habituated into reciprocal roles played by the actors in relation to each other” (Berger, P. L. and Luckmann, T. 1966). Since OCS relies largely on criminal law while criminal law is socially constructed by social norms from different actors, OCS is regarded as social construct.
Both types of social control are effective in controlling the behavior of individuals. I believe that formal social control keeps society together. The legal system gives people boundaries and creates a system of what is wrong and what is right. Moreover, Tribunal provides a means of checking whether those laws reflect the majority of society. Therefore the law exists to maintain social unity.
Organized crime can be applied to social institutions in various ways. Criminal organizations generally evolve in vicinities where the organization offers a product desired by individuals in a specific geographical location. This is vital because it enables the organization to successfully produce, distribute, and consumption of product in the community (Lyman & Potter, 2007). Furthermore, some legitimate business owners in the vicinity benefit from the services of organized crime. Social ties play a significant role in organized crime.
It does however explain why some people or actions are described as deviant, and can help in understanding crime and deviance. According to item A labelling has changed the theoretical base for the study of criminals. Becker emphasises the significance of crime being a social construct; an action only becomes criminal or deviant once society has labelled it so, and that crime can be argued to be a social construction. He introduced the concept of a master label, referring to the label which a person is given which overrides all other labels. When a person is labelled as negatively, society tends to tend them as such, and this master label often becomes internalised, and then a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs.
“Deviance is a normal and necessary part of any society” (Durkheim). Terrorism, Poverty, Unemployment, Drug abuse, Governments, Child abuse and Neglect are all of these social problems? Sociology tells us that our experiences are often caused by social forces. Social problems can account for two elements to be shown as problem, it must be looped to a social situation involving people in society. Crime can only be a social problem if it breaks rules in the social system.
Including social institutions, a system of behavioral and relationship patterns, having specific roles to perform to make society. I believe the Functionalist theory best describes society. Personally I believe society can only be stable through social order. Including that part is primarily institutions of society. Amongst family, community, religion, academia, business, media, and government are all equal but, when one gains predominance tyranny always emerges.
In other words, reality is not fixed, it is socially constructed. Social construction of reality was introduced by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann to identify the process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction. Human worlds are socially produced, changed and modified. And as one person presents himself in terms that suits his purpose and as other do the same, a complex reality emerges. People become social through the process of socialization-lifelong social experience by which individuals construct their personal biography, acquire daily interactional rules and patterns of their culture.
That usually means reverting to street crimes. These crimes include burglary, vandalism, and selling drugs. Those individuals feel that street crime is the only way they will obtain material success. Merton's theory may stand true when comparing social status with street crime; however, his theory becomes weak when the crimes include white-collar and business crimes. Therefore, Merton's theory has become an “anomie theory”.
Much behaviour that was seen as deviant in the past has today become a criminal offence, as with crime behaviour seen as criminal is now seen as deviant. Deviance can be criminal or non-criminal, but crime is always criminal in nature. Deviance is not considered as severe as a crime. The punishment of being deviant is not as harsh as an act of crime. Deviance is not breaking the law like crime; it is moving away from a set of standards established by society the social norms.
When someone is labelled an offender they are forced by society to live according to this label which could minimise their chances of being law abiding citizens and limit their chances of finding decent jobs. When deviants realise that society is defining them as thieves or offenders, they feel the need to act out on these labels. Deviants then try to adapt to their new profile by participating in various deviant (criminal)