Chapter 5- Richard Quincey Flashcards
Summary of Social Power: Conflict theory of crime
According to the article, Quincey incorporated the conflict theory of crime in order to explain deviance. He states that deviance is social constructions. Individuals who define deviance and label others lies in individuals who belong to a high social-economic clawed and other individual’s who have power and are the decision makers in society. The sociological construction of power contributes to the conceptualization and labeling of deviant acts. Power is used to enforce deviant labels by labeling individuals criminal in order to protect class interests. This labeling process by the powerful regarding deviant and criminal behavior can be portrayed as being harsh. Quincey says that the powerful provides an umbrella of protection for individuals belonging to their own group versus individuals on the outside of their socio-economic class or social group. While the powerful amplifies and legitimizes these deviant labels and amplifies this master status people labeled criminal will be defined as criminal in the future. Quincey also incorporates the following concepts while explaining delinquency such as the dominant class , those who dominant, the powerless and the oppressed within his conflict theory. As a result of this power struggle in society enforcing deviant acts such as crime continuously reproduce power, socioeconomic inequalities, and maintains a system of power for the elites.
