2.3 - Describe sociological theories of criminality

Question 1

What are sociological theories?

Answer 1

That society itself influences a person to become a criminal rather than genetics.

Question 2

SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORIES
What do social structure theories state?

Answer 2

Social class is the main cause of criminal behaviour and this begins when a person is young.

Question 3

SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORIES
How do Marxists view crime?

Answer 3

It is a natural outgrowth of the capitalist system and argues the criminal justice system works for the benefit of the elite and against the lower classes and this unequal structure shapes peoples behaviour.

Question 4

SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORIES
According to Marxists, what two classes is society divided into?

Answer 4

The ruling class (bourgeoisie)

The working class (proletariat)

Question 5

SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORIES
How do Marxists view the legal system?

Answer 5

In favour of the bourgeoisie and the laws are a reflection of their ideology.

Question 6

SOCIAL STRUCTURE THEORIES
According to Marxists, legal institutions are used for what purpose?

Answer 6

To control the masses, prevent revolution and keep people in a state of false consciousness.

Question 7

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

According to Marxists, crime is inevitable in a criminal society because capitalism is ——.

Answer 7

Criminogenic

Question 8

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What are the four reasons why crime is committed due to the encouragement of a capitalist system?

Answer 8

1. Exploitation causes poverty - crime only way to survive.
2. Push of consumer goods through advertising - theft in order to obtain these goods.
3. Inequality - alienation and frustration results on violence and criminal damage being committed.
4. Capitalism - dog-eat-dog system promotes greed - corporate crimes such as tax evasion being committed.

Question 10

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Marxists see law making and selective law enforcement as serving the interests of the capitalist class through——— and ———-

Answer 10

Law making and selective law enforcement

Question 11

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is law making?

Answer 11

Chambliss - laws are made to protect the private property of the rich and very few laws challenge the unequal distribution of wealth.

Question 12

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant by selective law enforcement?

Answer 12

Marxists agree with interactionists that the law is enforced selectively against the w/c. White collars crimes and corporate crimes are less likely to be prosecuted than w/c “street” crimes.

Question 13

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant by the Marxist view that crime and the law perform ideological functions?

Answer 13

Selective enforcement makes it look as if crime is the fault of the w/c.

This divides the w/c and encourages workers to blame w/c criminals for their problems rather than capitalism.

This shifts attention away from more serious ruling-class crime.

Some laws do benefit workers to a limited extent but also benefits capitalism by creating a “caring face” - health and safety laws.

Question 14

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What do functionalists see society as?

Answer 14

A stable structure based on shared norms and values and beliefs about right and wrong. This produces social solidarity.

Question 15

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Why do functionalists argue crime is inevitable?

Answer 15

Because in every society some individuals are inadequately socialised and likely to deviate.

Question 16

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What do functionalists (Durkheim) mean by anomie?

Answer 16

Shared norms become weakened as a result of a society containing many subcultures, each with different values, so shared rules of behaviour become weakened.

Question 17

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

According to Durkheim, what are the 4 functions of crime?

Answer 17

Boundary maintenance

Social change

Safety valve

Warning light

Question 18

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant by boundary maintenance?

Answer 18

Crime produces a reaction that unites society’s members against the wrongdoer which reminds us of the boundary between right and wrong.

Question 19

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant by social change?

Answer 19

New ideas must challenge existing norms and values and this at first will be seen as deviant

Question 20

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant but safety valve?

Answer 20

Davis argues that prostitution acts to release men’s sexual frustrations without threatening the nuclear family

Question 21

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is meant by wanting light?

Answer 21

Deviance indicates that an institution isn’t functioning properly

Question 22

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

What is Mertons strain theory?

Answer 22

Root cause of crime is the unequal structure of society as it encourages us all to seek material success.

W/C people - “blocked opportunities” which causes a strain and feelings of isolation between the goal in society.

Question 23

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

According to mertons strain theory, people can either conform or:

Answer 23

Innovate, become ritualistic, become retreatist, or become rebels.

Question 24

INTERACTIONISM

What do interventionists see our interactions being based on?

Answer 24

Labels

Question 25

INTERACTIONISM What do interactionists see as social constructs?

Answer 25

“Crime” and “criminals”

Question 26

INTERACTIONISM What does the labelling theory state?

Answer 26

No act is deviant or criminal in itself but only becomes so when we create rules and apply them to others

Question 27

INTERACTIONISM What does Becker argue?

Answer 27

Uses labelling theory to explain criminal behaviour. Argues that crime and crime statistics are socially constructed and that crime is a subjective concept. Agents of control label certain things as deviant or criminal and then that behaviour is punished accordingly.

Question 28

INTERACTIONISM What does Lemert believe?

Answer 28

Lemert believe there are two types of deviance - primary and secondary

Question 29

INTERACTIONISM What is meant by primary and secondary deviance?

Answer 29

Primary deviance - not yet been labelled by society. Secondary deviance - society has already labelled it as deviant

Question 30

REALISM What political outlook do right realists have ?

Answer 30

Right wing, conservative.

Question 31

REALISM How do right realists view crime? What do they think is the best solution to tackle crime?

Answer 31

As a growing problem. Control and punishment

Question 32

REALISM Right realists reject the Marxist view that factors such as poverty are the cause of crime. They argue crime is a product of three factors:

Answer 32

Biological differences between individuals. Inadequate socialisation. Offending is a rational choice.

Question 33

REALISM What political outlook do left realists have?

Answer 33

Left wing, socialist political outlook.

Question 34

REALISM What do left realists argue? How do they propose to reduce crime?

Answer 34

Main victims are disadvantaged groups such as the w/c, ethnic minorities and women. By making society fairer and more equal.

Question 35

REALISM Lea and Young identified three causes of crime:

Answer 35

Relative deprecation, Subcultures, Marginalisation

Question 36

REALISM How does relative deprivation cause crime?

Answer 36

This is how deprived or badly off someone feels in relation to others. The media continually pushes advertisements and messages to people to gain material possessions. Society is becoming more unequal due to cuts in benefits, unemployment, job security and low pay. People now have no chance of ever affording the sort of lifestyle media portray

Question 37

REALISM What is meant by subculture causing crime?