AC2.3 Sociological theories of criminality Flashcards
What do functionalist see society as?
They see society as a system- a structure of parts that for together as a whole unit, like the heart, lungs and other parts of the body
When does crime become dysfunctional?
When the rate is too high or too low
Crime is inevitable
Crime is functional
What is a collective sentiment?
Widespread agreement on moral beliefs, norms and values that bind people together, build social cohesion and regulate the behaviour of individuals
If collective sentiments are too strong what will happen?
Nothing will change
E.g. if everyone agrees with law
If collective sentiment is too weak what will happen?
Chaos and anarchy
E.g. most people agree with the law
When does social change occur?
Social change occurs when new functions emerge or when a society needs to adapt to change
What are the three types of function?
- Manifest functions
- Latent functions
- Dysfunction
What is a manifest function?
Those that are obvious
What is the manifest function of a prison?
To punish offenders and employ staff
What is a latent function?
Those that are not so obvious
What is a latent function of a prison?
To enable staff to form relationships with one another
What is dysfunction?
When some parts of the social structure don’t work as intended
What would constitute a dysfunctional prison?
One where access to drugs is easier, prisoners escape, prison riots occur often, violence is out of control
What is crime according to Durkheim?
Crime is necessary for any society- it has a positive function within society
What is an anomie?
Loss of shared principles or norms
What is the strain theory?
A development of functionalism
A strive for material success.
Society encourages us to subscribe to the goals of material success, but society cannot provide the legitimate means for us all to achieve such successes.
What can people do if they do not achieve their goals?
Become ritualistic, where sight of goal is lost
Become retreatists and drop out of conventional society
Become rebels
What is a retreatist?
Rejection of society’s prescribed goals and means of attaining them
Define ritualistic
Performing in the same way
What did Karl Marx state
That the economy is the driving force in society
What is the economic base?
It determines how society operates
The economic base underpins everything else in society (superstructure)
Examples of an economic base
Means
Relations of production
Examples of the superstructure of society
Family Religion Law Media Education
What does the economic base consist of?
- The means of production
2. The relations of production
What is the means of production?
Land Factories Raw materials Technology Labour
What are the relations of production?
Who controls production?
State controlled, privately owned, shared ownership
Relation between owners/ controller and non-owners
What is a primitive society?
Only enough to survive is produced
All people are workers
All people are in the same economic level
What is a complex society?
Produce more than is needed
Some sections of the society do not need to work
Society is divided into two classes e.g. land owners/ peasants
What are the two classes that society can be divided into?
Owners/ Capitalists and Non-owners of the means of production
What is interactionism?
How people in society interact with one another
What did Howard Becker use the labelling theory to explain criminality?
The Labelling theory
What did Becker put forward?
That crime is a subjective concept; agents of social control, such as the police and judges label certain acts as deceit to or criminal
What is primary deviance?
An act of deviance that has not been socially labelled as deviant
What is secondary deviance?
An act that has been labelled as deviant
What happens once an act has been labelled as deviant?
The deviant person starts to view themselves as a deviant
This becomes Their master status and can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
What is right realism?
Considers crime from the perspective of political conservatism, with the standpoint of getting tough on crime
