Class differences in crime(Topic 3)

Question 1

*Functionalism

Answer 1

Sees the law as a reflection of societies shared values and crime as a product of inadequate socialisation into these values leading to separate subcultures

Question 2

Miller

Answer 2

Argues the lower class had developed an independent subculture with its own norms and values opposite to mainstream culture which is why they have a higher crime rate

Question 3

*Strain theory

Answer 3

People engage in deviant behaviour when opportunities to achieve legitimately are blocked e.g America’s money success

Question 4

WC

Answer 4

As the working class are more likely to be denied opportunities to achieve they use innovation to find illegitimate ways of achieving e.g fraud explaining why they have a higher utilitarian crime rate

Question 5

Subcultural theories

Answer 5

Cohen sees WC youths as culturally deprived ;not socialised into mainstream MC culture so lack the means to achieve in education
Status hierarchy
Delinquent subculture
Cloward + Ohlin

Question 6

Labelling theory

Answer 6

Reject official statistics instead focus on how and why we becomes labelled and emphasise stereotypes held by law enforcement

Question 7

Marxism

Answer 7

Agree with labelling theory that the law is enforced disproportionately against the WC however say they fail to examine the wider structure of capitalism in law making, law enforcement and offending.