AC2.3 Sociological Theories Flashcards
What do sociologists see crime as being?
Inevitable result of inequalities in society
Defined by rc + used as means of social control
What do sociologists argue about white collar crimes?
Widely ignored - tend to be committed by mc/rc
While crimes committed by wc (burglary, street crimes) = focused on more, seen as more serious
What does the social structure theory state?
‘Lower class’ neighbourhoods create forces of stress, frustration + disorganisation
Leads to crime
As wc/mc leave, most disadvantaged remain
Results in POVERTY CONCENTRATION EFFECT
May cause neighbourhood to be isolated from the mainstream society + be prone to violence
What is the social strain theory?
Social structure = unequal
Prevents majority from realising dreams/fulfilling potential
Some trun to illegitimate means (crime) to achieve goals
Others will retreat/ drop out into deviant subcultures (gangs, homelessness, drug abuse)
What is the social reaction theory?
Known as labelling theory
When person commits a crime, receive label of ‘criminal’
Could lead to SFP
Could also lead to police having offender typifications
How can labelling lead to stereotyping?
Can affect who = arrested, charged, receives custodial sentence Officers' typifications, concentrate more on certain 'types' of people These = more likely found committing crime, reinforcing stereotype wc generally fit typification better (class bias) Suggests justice = negotiated, not fixed Even if person doesn't commit any more crimes = still time consuming to get rid of label e.g convicted criminals trying to find work after being released is really hard
4 examples of labelling in today’s society
- Islamophobia
- Black men = more heavily policed
- Hard for convicted criminal find work after released
- Brock Turner (Stanford sex offender)
Brock Turner
Stanford uni student Sexually assaulted unconscious women Faced 14 years in prison Received 6 months + 3 years probation Judge: 'stiffer sentence wold have severe impact on 20 year olds life'
What is the interactionist theory?
Leads on from labelling
Says, labelling can lead to groups being victimised for crime
Targeting can lead to deviancy amplification spiral
Public take sympathy with way groups = being targeted
Causes some of public join victimised group of deviants
Can lead to violent protests + riots
What do Marxists see as the main cause of criminal behaviour?
Capitalism = criminogenic
How is capitalism criminogenic?
Only way wc can survive? (due to poverty)
Way to obtain consumer goods encouraged by capitalist advertising - theft
Desire of self-enrichment + win at all costs encourages capitalists (mc/rc) to white collar crimes
e.g tax evasion
What is the Marxist view on law making + enforcement?
- Only benefits + serves interests of rc
e. g. = campaigns encouraging people to turn those committing benefit fraud in yet = few laws prevent tax evasion in international companies (Starbucks) - rc = power to prevent introduction of laws that would threaten their interests
- They = reluctant regulate activities that threaten their profitability (Bhopal Disaster)
How good are sociological theories at explaining criminal behaviour?
Explains crimes where perpetrator receives financial/ material gains
Fails to address violent/ sexual criminal activity
What are the 7 disadvantages of sociological theories?
- Falis to explain violent/ sexual crimes
- Over-exaggerates crime committed by wc
- Not all capitalist societies have high crime rates (Japan)
- Too deterministic (labelling, wc = criminal)
- Emphasis of -ve effect of labelling, offenders get ‘V status’ rather than actual Vs
- Why do people commit crimes before being labelled?
- Ignores gender differences in criminality
Are all capitalist societies criminogenic?
No
Japan - homicide rate of 1.0 per 100,000
Whereas US - homicide rate at 5.6 per 100,000
