In criminology, which term describes the study of crime as a social phenomenon focusing on social factors influencing it?

• A. Sociology of Crime & Deviance
• B. Criminological Theory
• C. Psychology of Crime
• D. The Crime and Deviance Channel

Answer: (A)

Studying crime as a social phenomenon means looking at how social structures, norms, and institutions shape who offends, where, when, and why. The sociology of crime and deviance captures this focus by examining how factors like poverty, inequality, family and peer networks, community context, and social reactions (labeling, sanctions, policing) influence crime patterns. It’s the best fit because it centers on the social environment and social factors shaping crime, rather than just individual psychology or abstract theories. Criminological theory covers explanations for crime broadly, which can span social and non-social factors, while psychology of crime concentrates on individual mental processes, not the social context. The Crime and Deviance Channel isn’t a standard academic term in criminology.