2.3 Sociological theories of criminality Flashcards
What are the 3 groups of theories you need to know?
Social structure/structural theories
Interactionism
Realism
Name the social structure/structural theories you need to know.
Functionalism
Marxism
Name the interactionist theory you need to know.
Labelling theory
Name the realism theories you need to know.
Left realism
Right realism
(Structural theories) What are consensus theories - give an example.
Takes the view that society ‘works together’ in harmony and social institutions all cooperate with each other.
Functionalism
(Structural theories) What are conflictA theories - give an example.
Takes the view that there is conflict between the different social institutions within society.
Marxism.
How does Durkheim (Functionalism) view society?
A stable structure based on shared norms, values, and beliefs about right and wrong.
Social solidarity (Durkheim - Functionalism)
‘Togetherness’/integration, where all members of society feel they belong to the same harmonious unit.
According to Durkheim, why is ‘crime inevitable’?
Because in every society some individuals are inadequately socialised and likely to deviate.
Society also contains many subcultures, each with different values, so shared rules of behaviour become less clear.
Anomie (Durkheim - Functionalism)
(Normlessness) where shared norms become weakened.
Social instability.
According to Durkheim (Functionalism) what are the 4 causes of crime?
Boundary maintenance
Safety valve
Social change
Warning light
According to Durkheim (Functionalism) what is Boundary maintenance?
Crime produces a reaction that unites society’s members against the wrongdoer, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong, and reaffirming their shared rules
According to Durkheim (Functionalism) how does crime act as a safety valve?
Davis (1937) argues that prostitution acts to release men’s sexual frustrations without threatening the nuclear family.
According to Durkheim (Functionalism) how does crime act allow for social change?
For society to progress, individuals with new ideas must challenge existing norms and values and at first this will be seen as deviance. (Homosexuality)
According to Durkheim (Functionalism) how does crime act as a warning light?
Deviance indicates that an institution is not functioning properly; for example, high truancy rates could indicate problems with the education system.
