2.3, Sociological

Question 1

Functionalism

Answer 1

Crime is an integral part of all healthy societies.

Functionalists see shared norms and values as the basis of social order and solidarity.

Question 2

Right Realism

Answer 2

The belief that the criminal makes the rational choice to commit the crime knowing the consequences thus there should be tougher penalties involved for those responsible.

Question 3

Left Realism

Answer 3

Inequality and other factors force some criminals to go against their own morals as there may be no other way to achieve what society deems a 'successful lifestyle'.
Instead of tougher penalties, we need more community interventions to get lower class people help so they don't need to do illegal things.

Question 4

Karl Marx / Marxism

Answer 4

Suggested that capitalism was a system that benefited few at the expense of many by forcing crime on those at a social class disadvantage or unequal position if they want to be what mainstream media deems ' successful.
From a Marxist perspective, crime is inevitable.

Question 5

Howard Becker Labelling Theory

Answer 5

Social groups bring on deviance by making rules that constitute deviance from certain groups of people due to characteristics that label them ‘outsiders’ and then treating them as deviant for not conforming.

Question 6

Howard Becker Labelling Theory categories

Answer 6

Falsely Accused - Individuals engage in obedient behaviour and are wrongly perceived as deviant.
Conforming - Individuals engage in obedient behaviour and are perceived as obedient.
Pure Deviant - Individuals engage in deviant behaviour and are recognised as such deeming them deviant by societies standards.
Secret Deviant - Individuals engage in deviant behaviour but are not perceived as deviant by societies standards.