Control, punishments and victims Flashcards
Crime, prevention and control:
How does situational crime prevention help to prevent crime? (use sociologist)
Situational crime prevention focuses on reducing the opportunities for crime by making it harder for criminals to commit offenses.
Clarke (1995) argues that it is effective because it targets specific situations and places where crimes are likely to occur, such as installing better lighting or surveillance cameras in high-crime areas. By altering the environment, it reduces opportunities and increases the perceived risk for offenders, leading to less crime.
An example is the increase in CCTV surveillance in urban areas to deter theft and violent crime.
Criticism:
How does situational crime prevention not reduce crime? (use sociologist)
Cohen and Felson (1979) criticize situational crime prevention for its focus on opportunity rather than addressing the root causes of criminal behavior, such as poverty or social inequality.
They argue that by only reducing opportunities, it does not prevent individuals from developing criminal intentions in the first place. As a result, while it may reduce crime in certain areas, it could lead to offenders simply relocating or changing their method of crime rather than addressing the deeper social issues that lead to criminal behavior.
Crime, prevention and control:
How does zero tolerance policing reduce crime? (use sociologist)
Wilson and Kelling (1982) argue that zero-tolerance policing reduces crime by targeting minor offenses, such as vandalism or fare evasion, in order to prevent more serious crimes from happening.
By addressing “broken windows” in the community, they believe it helps create an environment where law-abiding citizens feel safer, and criminals are less likely to commit further offenses. The theory suggests that a strict enforcement approach sends a message that all crime will be punished, discouraging larger-scale criminal activity.
Criticisms:
How does zero tolerance policing not reduce crime? (use sociologist)
Harcourt (2001) criticizes zero-tolerance policing for its potential to disproportionately target marginalized communities, such as racial minorities, leading to feelings of injustice and social alienation.
Rather than reducing crime, zero-tolerance policing may escalate tensions between the police and the community, resulting in distrust and more resistance to law enforcement. Additionally, it focuses on minor offenses, which may divert resources away from addressing more serious criminal activity.
Crime, prevention and control:
How does social and community crime prevention reduce crime? (use sociologist)
Social and community crime prevention focuses on addressing the underlying social causes of crime, such as poverty, education, and family support.
The Perry Preschool Project is a key example of this approach, which provided early childhood education to disadvantaged children and showed significant long-term reductions in crime and delinquency.
Schweinhart et al. (2005) found that participants in the Perry project had lower crime rates, better employment outcomes, and better social integration as adults, suggesting that early intervention and community support can effectively reduce crime in the long run.
Criticism:
How does social and community crime prevention not reduce crime? (use sociologists)
Murray (1990) critiques these approaches by arguing that programs like the Perry Preschool Project do not address the broader structural issues, such as poverty and inequality, that continue to affect disadvantaged communities.
In his view, these programs might provide short-term benefits but fail to eliminate the long-term social and economic conditions that foster crime, leading to limited or transient reductions in criminal behavior.
Young (2007) argues that such programs focus too much on individual behavior and do not challenge systemic issues like unemployment or inadequate housing, which are key contributors to crime.
Surveillance:
How can prison be used as a form of surveillance? (use sociologist)
Prison can be seen as a form of surveillance through the constant monitoring of inmates, where discipline is enforced through observation rather than physical punishment.
Foucault’s concept of the “Panopticon” highlights how prisons create a system where prisoners are always potentially being watched, leading them to regulate their own behavior. This constant surveillance shapes the way individuals behave, with the fear of being watched leading them to conform to societal rules.
Criticisms:
How is using prison as a form of surveillance ineffective? (use sociologist)
While prison surveillance may prevent immediate physical escape, it can be ineffective in addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.
Cohen argues that prisons often fail to rehabilitate individuals and instead create a cycle of reoffending, as the surveillance does not address deeper social and psychological issues. Additionally, the prison environment can reinforce criminal identities, making reintegration into society difficult after release.
Surveillance:
How can synoptic surveillance be used as a form of surveillance? (use sociologist)
Synoptic surveillance refers to the way society has evolved so that many people are now capable of observing and monitoring each other through technology.
Mathiesen - with the rise of social media and smartphones, surveillance is no longer just the domain of authorities; ordinary people can now engage in surveillance of their peers. This widespread access to surveillance technology leads to greater social control and accountability through public visibility.
Criticisms:
How is synoptic surveillance is ineffective as being used as a form of surveillance? (use sociologist)
While synoptic surveillance increases the ability of the public to monitor behavior, it can be ineffective in promoting meaningful social control.
Giddens argues that the sheer volume of information and surveillance can desensitize people, leading to apathy or misuse of power. Rather than fostering accountability, synoptic surveillance may be used for entertainment or harassment, failing to meaningfully prevent or address crime
Surveillance:
How can labelling be used as a form of surveillance? (use sociologist)
Becker - suggests that when individuals are labeled as “deviant,” they are subject to social surveillance, as society constantly watches their behavior, expecting them to conform to the label.
This surveillance through labeling can influence the individual’s self-perception, leading them to adopt behaviors that align with the societal expectations placed on them. The label itself becomes a tool of surveillance, shaping the person’s future actions.
Criticisms:
How is labelling ineffective as be used as a form of surveillance? (use sociologist)
Lemert critiques labelling theory by arguing that once someone is labeled as deviant, they may face social exclusion and stigmatization, which can lead to further deviant behavior.
Labelling doesn’t necessarily stop criminal behavior; it can often exacerbate it by reinforcing negative stereotypes and limiting opportunities for reintegration. Thus, while labeling acts as a form of social surveillance, it may contribute to a self-fulfilling prophecy of continued deviance.
Punishment:
What is reduction and give two examples?
Strategies aimed at decreasing crime by preventing future offenses, often through rehabilitation or deterrence. It focuses on changing the behaviour of offenders to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
e.g. Rehabilitation programs in prison: Providing education or therapy to prisoners to help them reintegrate into society and avoid committing crimes after release.
e.g. Community policing: Building positive relationships between police officers and communities to prevent crime through cooperation and trust.
Punishment:
What is retribution and give two examples?
Retribution is a form of punishment based on the idea of “an eye for an eye,” where the offender receives a penalty for the crime they committed, often to restore justice.
e.g. Imprisonment: A person who commits a crime, like theft, is sent to prison as a punishment for their actions.
e.g. The death penalty (in some countries): For serious crimes like murder, the offender is given the ultimate punishment of death.
Punishment:
What is the functionalist perspective on punishment? (use sociologist)
Durkheim believed that punishment serves to reinforce social norms and values in society. In traditional societies, retributive justice (punishment for revenge) expresses collective outrage when norms are violated, while in modern societies, restitutive justice (focused on restoring balance) is more common.
He argued that punishment helps maintain social cohesion by making sure people adhere to societal expectations. By punishing wrongdoers, society reaffirms its moral values and ensures stability.
Punishment:
What is the Marxist perspective of punishment? (use sociologist)
Marxists see punishment as a tool used by the ruling capitalist class to maintain control and preserve their power.
Marx, the criminal justice system is biased towards the working class and works to protect capitalist interests. It maintains social order in ways that keep the working class from challenging or disrupting the system. Althusser argued that punishment is part of the ideological state apparatus, which helps to keep the capitalist structure intact by controlling the masses.
The victims of crime:
How does positivist victimology link to those who are victims of crime? (use sociologist)
Positivist victimology focuses on the characteristics of victims to understand why some people are more likely to become victims of crime.
Mendelsohn suggested that certain traits in victims, such as behavior or vulnerability, can contribute to their victimization. By studying these factors, positivists aim to find ways to reduce crime by preventing victimization. It also helps in offering better support to victims by understanding their circumstances.
Criticisms:
What are the criticisms against positivist victimology? (use sociologist)
Cohen argue that positivist victimology can lead to victim-blaming, which means that victims are held responsible for their own victimization. This perspective often ignores the broader social and structural factors that contribute to crime, such as inequality and power imbalances.
This approach does not adequately address the root causes of crime.
The victims of crime:
How does critical victimology link to those who are victims of crime? (use sociologist)
Mawby and Walklate, focuses on understanding how victimization is shaped by social inequalities and power structures. It argues that the criminal justice system often overlooks or marginalizes certain victims, particularly those from disadvantaged groups like women, ethnic minorities, or the poor.
It emphasizes how the state and powerful institutions may fail to protect certain victims or even blame them for their victimization.
Criticisms:
What are the criticisms against critical victimology? (use sociologist)
Rock, argue that critical victimology can be overly focused on structural issues and not sufficiently address individual responsibility or the experiences of victims.
It sometimes downplays the role of personal agency or the actions of perpetrators in favour of emphasizing social inequality.
The victims of crime:
How can age affect victimisation of crime? (use sociologist)
Young people, particularly those aged 16-24, are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors, like going out late at night or participating in social gatherings, which increases their exposure to crime. Their higher involvement in nightlife and public spaces also raises their vulnerability to violent crimes, such as robbery or assault.
Older individuals, on the other hand, are generally less socially active outside the home, reducing their likelihood of becoming victims of crime. However, older people are more likely to be targeted for property crimes, as they may have more valuable assets at home and are often perceived as more vulnerable.
The victims of crime:
How can gender affect victimisation of crime? (use sociologist)
Women are more likely to be victims of crimes like domestic violence and sexual assault due to gendered power dynamics, where women are often seen as more vulnerable and less likely to resist male aggressors. Dodd et al. suggest that men, although less likely to be victims of domestic violence, are often targeted in public settings where violent crimes like robbery and physical assault occur.
Men also tend to engage in behaviors that increase their exposure to crime, like alcohol consumption and involvement in risky environments. Women’s vulnerability to domestic violence also stems from societal expectations and gender norms that make it harder for women to leave abusive relationships.
The victims of crime:
How can ethnicity affect victimisation of crime? (use sociologist)
Ethnic minorities, particularly Black and other minority ethnic groups, are more likely to experience victimization due to a combination of social and economic factors. These groups often live in more disadvantaged areas where crime rates tend to be higher.
The prevalence of racial or hate crimes is also linked to systemic racism and discrimination, which contributes to targeting individuals based on their ethnicity. Furthermore, mistrust of the police in ethnic minority communities, due to past negative experiences or racial profiling, can lead to underreporting of crimes, making them more vulnerable without adequate support.
The victims of crime:
The impact of victimisation e.g. secondary victimisation (use sociologist)
Secondary victimization happens when victims suffer more harm after the crime. Christie says that victims may be blamed or not believed, especially in cases like sexual assault.
For example, if a victim is treated poorly by the police or the media, it can make them feel worse and discouraged from speaking out. This extra harm makes it harder for victims to heal and can prevent them from seeking help.
