Notion Of Typical Offender - GCSE Sociology Definition

The notion of a typical offender refers to the stereotypical image or profile society holds about what a common criminal looks like, often based on factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.

In GCSE Sociology, this concept explores how societal perceptions and media portrayals can lead to biased assumptions about who is more likely to commit crimes. These stereotypes can influence policing, judicial decisions, and public attitudes, potentially marginalising certain groups and affecting their treatment by the criminal justice system. Understanding this notion is crucial for examining the impact of these biases on crime statistics and social justice.