Chapter 2: Theorizing Justice Flashcards
Post Structuralism is omitted
Joe and Ernie
An example of procedural justice.
EXAMPLE: They made a new unit in San Antonio to help get people the justice they need without using force or weapons. help make people safe and help them back on their feet.
other examples:
Limited resources
Lots of callers, not enough officers/first responders
Could impact the severity of each case
Depending on qualifications, they each take the lead or stay back
Procedural Justice
Approach to justice in which emphasizes a fair and unbiased procedure. Means justify the end. Idea that procedure and treating people matter.
Bedside manor : how a physician interacts with you
Not related to qualification of a doctor, but will impact you the most
Someone inconsiderate will leave a harsh impression on someone
Neutrality - unbiased and transparent reasoning
Respect - treated with dignity
Voice - able to be given a voice/opinion/decision in the matter
Trustworthiness - convey truth behind motives and decisions
Social Vs. Personal Problems
We need a comprehensive view of problems. Theories help but are only alternative ways to address a certain issue.
Reason: Not to create excuses for people who are effected, but to
understand people affected. We look for ways to address it depending on how we look at it.
Social and personal problems are not always mutually exclusive.
Example (crime):
Understanding the patterns of crime and changes in crime rates
Can lend themselves to possible solutions for reducing crime
Social Problems
Social problem -
The cause lies beyond the person affected.
Homelessness - Due to outside forces, a person can become homeless
Healthcare - individuals get sick, healthcare can either help or choose not to.
Personal Problems
Personal problem -
A person is the problem and causes said problem. Focusing too much on individuals, and having a bias.
Solutions - targeted at that individual and their environment.
Homelessness trying to be solved with just housing, but it is not that simple.
Example :
Biology or psychology of a criminal
Personality disorders or biological defects
FASD - cannot change their brain chemistry
Impulsivity
What is a theory
Carefully thought-out explanation for observations of the natural world that has been constructed during the scientific method, and which brings together many facts and hypotheses.
Different sciences, like social sciences, adopt a different type of scientific
method based on their specific concentration.
Macro Considerations
Study of a large-scale social phenomena
Forces outside control of the individual that impact their behaviour
Don’t blame the individual for being homeless, blame the environment of the individual at the time
Micro Considerations
Interaction between individual people.
In order to understand them you have to ask them how they interpret these relationships and interactions
Gang members : each members use other members much like a football team
Individuals have the capability to understand and interpret them
Deterministic - you did it to yourself.
Marcus Felson
Routine Activities Theory
Suitable target
A car window left open
Someone who left their laptop
Lack of capable guardianship
There is no one there with you
Motivated Offender
The want to do the crime/activity
When all are active, crime can occur.
Problems : Victim blaming
Structural Functionalism
Society is like the human body. If one organ of the society dies, society cannot function. Organs are social structures that are what make society. As structures age, they will fail, that is when society starts to fail. Looking at the interactions of each institution with individuals - how it affects them.
Merton’s Work
When structure is created, it is because we need it
Manifest function - everything is purposeful
Example: Education
Main purpose - training you for future work -> manifest function
Latent function - hands-on experience that you just pick up -> sitting in class and taking notes impact your education
Conflict Theory
Critiquing Struc. Functionalism. Society is an inanimate object, but structures are ladders and within these structures there are people at the top, all the bottom. Order is temporary and unstable because every individual and group strives to maximize its own interests in a world of limited resources and goods.
Elites at the top make and must keep these structures running
Through laws
Distractions - sports, drugs, religions
Constant conflict
Change and tension are the norm, not stability and consensus.
Struggles are depicted as “zero-sum” game
Education and Conflict Theory
Not all universities are the same
The more expensive housing/larger lots in a city/area, the more money that city/area has to use for public schools
In the US, the resale price is determined by which school district house is in
More Money = pay for teachers, better quality of teachers, better tech, more afterschool activities, special programs
Symbolic Interactionalism
Society is simply a matter of people interacting. You, the individual, are influenced by the symbols you see throughout your life. Focuses on the relationships of the individual with society or social structures. Structures are created through interaction.
EXAMPLE: Body Language
You view someone’s body language and interpret it
Nothing about hierarchy, instead, how are people relating to the norms and beliefs of a society.
Blumer’s 3 Rules
- Social structures determine behaviour - Humans interact
- Behaviour is genetically programmed - there are symbols that are universally understood - this is learnt through interactions with others
- Society operates on conflict-power dynamics - meanings are interpreted depending on the context.
Feminist Theory
Structural Functionalism Side :
Everyone has a role in society and when men and women perform roles appropriately then society runs more smoothly. Look at how different social roles affect a certain group -> women. Feminist approach: Destruction of the oppression, not just describing and mentioning women’s oppression.
Conflict Side :
Try to explain female behaviour in contrast to males behaviour who keep control in the institution.
EXAMPLE :
Salaries
Lower pay will usually be saved for women
Pay Equity
Pay equity is intentionally recognized as a fundamental human right. If both jobs of a man and a woman are equitable, they should be paid the same.
If a man is a mechanic
If a female is an accountant
Both jobs should be paid the same
Two different jobs
NOT EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK.
Key Concepts of Feminist Theory
- Paternalism
Based on male grounded power
Crime and Law
Treats men independently, women are dependant - Chivalry
Behaviour aspect of paternalism
Men doing certain things for women in a way they can practise paternalism
Men are typically kept in prisons while women are more likely to be released ie. stay out of the system - Sexism
Attitudes towards the sexes
A girl having a different curfew than a man
Formal and casual interaction every day between people
In workplaces usually
Little things said or done in a moment play into stereotypes of gender
Usually invisible
Laura Bates - “Everyday Sexism”
Sexism is so normalized, people have become desensitized of the issue
