Thematic study · Both
Crime & Punishment – Change Over Time
Thematic studies test change and continuity across centuries. Learn turning points, not every year.
Big patterns
• From community responsibility → professional police
• From public, physical punishments → imprisonment as main penalty
• New crimes appear with new technology and social change
• Attitudes to witches, heresy, protest and youth crime shift with beliefs and politics
Exam approach
For “how far did X change” questions:
• Say what changed
• Say what stayed similar
• Use specific examples from different periods
• Reach a judgement
Practice questions
1. Name one major change in punishment over time.
2. What does a thematic question usually want?