Read Item A below and answer the question that follows: Item A The different agencies of the criminal justice system, such as the police and the courts, are responsible for processing individuals who are suspected of committing crimes - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 3

Reason 1: Policing Practices and Social Class Stereotypes

One reason for social class differences in official crime statistics relates to the policing practices and social class stereotypes. The police may focus their resources more heavily on working-class areas, resulting in heightened surveillance and a greater likelihood of arrest. This over-policing thus leads to a higher recorded crime rate for individuals from lower social classes. Additionally, the perception that working-class individuals are more likely to commit crimes can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where police priorities focus on these communities, further inflating crime statistics.

Reason 2: Economic Factors and Opportunity

Another reason involves economic factors that offer greater opportunity for crime among different social classes. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may resort to criminal behavior out of economic necessity, such as theft or drug dealing, to meet their basic needs. In contrast, individuals from higher social classes may engage in white-collar crimes, which are often underreported or less visible in official statistics. Therefore, the social class differences in opportunity and motivation can manifest in varying crime rates across different classes.