chapter 10 Flashcards
what did biological and psychological theories try to explain in crime
the individuality of crime
what do sociological theories try to explain
the wider relationship between crime, social relations, and social structure
what is the Strain theory (3 points)
- social institutions contribute to the smooth running of society
- crime occurs when something unusual effects these institutions
- these result in strains and frustrations that affect behaviour
according to Durkheim, what is essential to society
Solidarity (shared goals that lead to shared norms)
what concept did Durkheim popularize
anomie (instability in society)
what can break down in times of rapid social change
social solidarity, interdependence of individuals and society
(no clear social norms, heterogeneity, and increased division off labour weakening social norms)
what is social cohesion
sense of solidarity in society
what happens when social cohesion is down and social isolation is greater
society looses its social control mechanisms and suffers from a high rate of crime
according to Robert Merton what us crime
crime is a result of the gap between “culturally prescribed aspirations” and the socially structured means of realizing them
according to Merton, what results in innovation and deviance
the strain resulting from the gas between goals and the means to achieve them
what did Sol Kobrin point out about opportunity
that opportunities varies in 3 different types of communities
- Stable slum
- Transitory slum
- Suburbia
what is a Stable slum
lower class communities (has legitimate and illegitement opportunities
varies from gambling, prostitution, restaurants, and stores
what is a Transitory slum
ex.decaying house projects, fear of crime and lack of community life
what is a suburbia
legitimate opportunities
what are the three types of delinquent subcultures (coward)
criminal - opportunities for crimes of financial gain
Conflict - gang violence
Retreatist - failures on other structures, substance abuse
