Chapter 16: Sociological Theories (Social Conflict Theories)

Question 1

What are some of the issues that social conflict theories explore?

Answer 1

(1) the relationship between free enterprise and crime
(2) the role of government in the social production of crime
(3) how the mass media is used to spread a particular image of the “social reality” of crime and criminals
(4) the social, political, and economic forces that underlie differential treatment in the criminal justice system based on race, gender, and class
(5) how both capitalism and patriarchy work to subjugate women and increase female criminality

Question 2

What is “The Social Reality of Crime” (1970)?

Answer 2

a book written by Richard Quinney

Question 3

What are the main points that summarize Quinney’s “The Social Reality of Crime (1970)?

Answer 3

(1) Definition of Crime
(2) Formulation of Criminal Definitions
(3) Application of Criminal Definitions
(4) Development of Behavior Patterns in Relation to Criminal Definitions
(5) Construction of Criminal Conception

Question 4

What is the concept definition of crime?

Answer 4

crime is a definition of human conduct that’s created by authorized agents in a politically organized society

Question 5

How is criminality created via labeling theory?

Answer 5

criminality is created by labeling one’s behavior as criminal by others

Question 6

According to the _________ ___ ______, crime is socially constructed.

Answer 6

Definition of Crime

Question 7

According to the Definition of Crime, crime is _______ __________.

Answer 7

socially constructed

Question 8

The ________ ___ _____ is also known as a “reactionist” definition of crime.

Answer 8

Definition of Crime

Question 9

The Definition of Crime is also known as a “_________” definition of crime.

Answer 9

“reactionist”

Question 10

What is the concept of formulation of criminal definitions?

Answer 10

criminal definitions describe behavior that conflicts with the interests of those who have power to shape public policy

Question 11

What is the concept of application of criminal definitions?

Answer 11

the more legal agents evaluate behavior and persons as worthy of criminal labels, the greater the probability that such labels will be applied

Question 12

How does the development behavior patterns relate to criminal definitions?

Answer 12

people who aren’t members of the power structure are more likely to have a criminal label attached to them

Question 13

What is the concept of construction of criminal conception?

Answer 13

conceptions of crime are constructed and distributed via communication

Question 14

According to “The Social Reality of Crime” why do we have crime?

Answer 14

crime is seen as an inevitable consequence of the unequal distribution of power and wealth in class-based societies

Question 15

Why does capitalism create more crime that other economic systems?

Answer 15

(1) alienation of workers
(2) the insatiable greed and profit motivation (as a result of capitalism)
(3) the greater means used to control the “dangerous” classes and preserve/protect the intersects of the ruling class

Question 16

____________= Novelty + Seriousness

Answer 16

Newsworthiness

Question 17

Newsworthiness= ________ + Seriousness

Answer 17

Novelty

Question 18

Newsworthiness= Novelty + __________

Answer 18

Seriousness

Question 19

How does the media distort crime?

Answer 19

• emphasize violent crime (serial killers)
• distorts prevalence (arrest—> pros—> convict)
• distort Race/Ethnicity of Offenders
• “Moral Panics” (gang crime, child abductions)

Question 20

According to __________ Marxist, criminal law and the justice system are designed to maintain capitalism.

Answer 20

Structural

Question 21

According to Structural Marxist, criminal law and the justice system are designed to maintain __________.

Answer 21

capitalism

Question 22

According to _________ Marxist, sanction both the owner and worker class when their behavior threatens the stability of this economic structure

Answer 22

Structural

Question 23

According to Structural Marxist, sanction both the _______ and _______ _____ when their behavior threatens the stability of this economic structure

Answer 23

owner

worker class

Question 24

According to Structural Marxist, sanction both the owner and worker class when their behavior threatens the stability of this _________ _________.

Answer 24

economic structure

Question 25

Is this instrumental or structural marxism: the criminal law and criminal justice system are instruments for the suppression/control of the poor and for maintains the existing social and economic order

Answer 25

Instrumental Marxist

Question 26

Is this instrumental or structural marxism: laws and the justice system are not the exclusive domain for the rich to be used to suppress the poor

Answer 26

Structural Marxist

Question 27

Social Conflict Theories also contain various types of _________ theories.

Answer 27

feminist

Question 28

________ theories link capitalism, patriarchy, and female criminality.

Answer 28

Feminist

Question 29

Feminist theories link _________, _________, and _______ ________.

Answer 29

capitalism
patriarchy
female criminality

Question 30

According to Feminist theories there is limited access for women to commit ______-______ activities.

Answer 30

street-level

Question 31

Feminist theory states that sexism increases the risks of ________ __________ for many disadvantaged girls and women.

Answer 31

criminal victimization

Question 32

Male violence against women is rooted in _______ _________.

Answer 32

gender inequality