Ac2.3 Describe sociological theories of criminality Flashcards
What do functionalists believe society is based on?
Shared norms, Values and beliefs on what is right and wrong.
What did Durkheim argue about crime?
Crime is inevitable as not everyone has the same views of what is right and wrong and crime is a key function in society as it reinforces the shared values.
What are the 2 ways crime reinforces shared values?
Firstly, boundary maintenance is provided whereby crime strengthens social cohesion and people working together to stop a criminal act.
Secondly, social change occurs when individuals challenge established ideas of crime and deviance.
What does Merton’s Strain theory argue?
Crime is caused by the unequal structure of society.
Why can everyone not reach the goal of material success?
Poverty and inadequate schools prevent people from being able to reach this goal.
What are the 4 things that can happen to somebody who doesn’t reach the financial goals?
Firstly, innovation, whereby innovators accept the goal but find criminal ways of reaching it.
Secondly, ritualism, whereby ritualists give up on striving for money success and “plod along” in a dead-end job.
Thirdly, retreatism, whereby retreatists reject the goal and means and “drop out”, for example vagrants and drug addicts.
Fourthly, rebellion, whereby rebels reject the goal and means and replace them with new ones, with the aim of changing society, such as hippies.
What is a “subculture”?
Subculture is where a dominant group emerges that does not conform to societies main goals.
How do subcultures enable their members to gain status?
Through illegitimate means (often criminal acts).
What reason did Cohen give for why deviance is a response in the working class?
Cohen said that deviance was a response from the working class due to “status frustration”.
When does “status frustration” begin?
It begins in school when they are regarded as “thick”.
What does the Marxism theory suggest?
Society may influence a person to become criminal.
What does the Marxism theory suggest about capitalism?
It encourages wealth, but the unequal structure of society shapes peoples behaviour including criminality.
What are the 2 classes called?
The Ruling Class- The Bourgeoisie.
The Working Class- The Proletariat.
What did the Marxism theory say about who laws benefit in society?
The Marxism theory suggests that laws are made to benefit and favour the wealthy and punish the poor such as the homeless or squatters.
