Crime and deviance Flashcards
4x positive functions of crime
- Boundary maintenance & Social cohesion (Durkheim)
- Adaptation and change (Durkheim)
- Warning sign (Cohen)
- Safety valve (Davis)
Definition of boundary maintenance
Crime allows society to reinforce what is acceptable behaviour
Definition of adaptation and change
Deviation is necessary to allow society to move forward and progress
Definition of warning sign
Crime can be a sign that something in society is not functioning as it should be
Definition of safety valve
Deviancy can help prevent larger more serious crimes
Who suggested strain theory
merton
5 types of strain
- Conformity
- Innovation
- Ritualism
- Rebellion
- Retreatism
Conformity definition
Accepting goals and means
Innovation definition
Accepting goals but choosing alternative means
Ritualism definition
Following means but not believing you will achieve them
Rebellion definition
rejecting goals and creating own means
Retreatism definition
rejecting goals and means but not replacing them
Status frustration - cohen
Individuals get frustrated by their inability to achieve goals so turn to crime to achieve status
Illegitimate opportunity structures - cloward and ohlin
criminal subcultures - socialise young people into criminal activity
conflict subcultures - little social cohesion
retreatist subcultures - failure to gain access to other two subcultures
Focal concerns - miller
Working class have different values which can lead to criminal behaviour appearing normal
Control theory hirschi
suggests strong bonds with society stops people from committing crime
4 aspects of hirschis control theory
Belief
attachment
involvement
commitment
Gordon (marxism)
Crime is a rational reaction to capitalism which is why its found in all social classes
Reiman (marxism)
ruling class are more likely to commit crime but less likely to have offences treated as criminal
Chambliss (marxism)
Law is shaped to protect the rich and powerful
2x - marxist theory
- Ignores other causes of crime
- Ignores victims of crime
3x neo marxist beliefs
- Capitalism is based on exploitation and understanding this is key to understanding crime
- The state creates laws for the benefit of the ruling class
- Capitalism should be replaced with a classless society
3x consequences of labelling
- Self fulfilling prophecy
- Deviancy amplification
- Master status
Cicourel (interactionism)
labelling is what leads to selective law enforcement and negotiation of justice
left realist view of crime
follow the marxist view but believe that gradual change is necessary
Right realist view of crime
see street crime as a real and growing problem that destroys communities and undermines social cohesion
control theory - hiedenson
women commit less crime than men due to patriarchal control
