Deviance becomes crime when:
A) it results in bodily harm to a person.
B) it warrants more than five years of imprisonment.
C) it involves the collective effort of a large number of people.
D) it violates rules that have been written into law.
E) it violates rules that are deemed immoral.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deviance is behavior that violates social norms, while a crime is a deviant behavior that has been codified into law. Therefore, when a behavior violates rules that have been written into law, it becomes a crime. Choices A, B, and E are incorrect as they do not capture the essential characteristic of crime as a violation of legal norms. Choice C is also incorrect as the collective effort of a large number of people can result in deviant behavior that may not necessarily be considered a crime.

Deviance Becomes Crime When