Crime and Deviance Flashcards
Merton’s (1938) strain theory: Perspective and key findings?
Functionalist/Marxist
-People’s aspirations and goals are shaped by their culture e.g. American Dream = economic success
-Some people experience a strain between the goals of society and the means of achieving them. This may lead to anomie (normlessness)
-They may seek out an illegitimate route to economic success e.g. crime
Becker’s (1963) interactionist perspective: Perspective and key findings?
Interactionist
-Argues deviance is created by society
-Powerful social groups create deviance by making the rules and applying these to others
-People can develop deviant careers if labelled as deviant
-The deviant label can become a master status (main identity)
-Labelling can lead to the self-fulfilling prophecy
Heidensohn’s (1985) control theory: Perspective and key findings?
Feminist
-Women commit less crime because they are more closely controlled in society
-In a patriarchal society, women have stronger social control placed on them which can reduce opportunities for crime
-At home, women are controlled by domestic responsibilities, at work by fear of damaging reputation and in public by fear of male violence
Carlen’s (1988) class and gender deal: Perspective and key findings?
Feminist
-She explains why working-class women commit crime
-She argues they are promised two rewards for conforming ‘class deal’ (money and material items from working hard) and ‘gender deal’ (happy domestic life with husband and children
-She found WC women committed crime when these rewards were blocked due to: poverty, living in care, drug addiction.
-They had nothing to lose and everything to gain
Cohen’s (1955) subcultural theory: Perspective and key findings?
Functionalist
-Argues delinquency is carried out by groups not individuals and that groups often commit non-utilitarian (not motivated by money) crimes
-Working class boys experience status frustration at not succeeding in middle class school
-They join/ form a delinquent subculture with an alternative status hierarchy where they will gain status for deviance
What is a crime?
Any form of behaviour that breaks the law
What is Custodial sentences?
Punishment where offenders will be sentenced to go to prison or Young offenders institute
What is crime rate?
A measure of the level of criminal activity in a society based on crimes recorded by the police
What is the dark figure of crime?
The unknown amount of criminal activity that is not reported or recorded to the police
What is deviance?
Any form of behaviour that does not conform to the norms of a society - this can be influenced by time, place, social situation and culture
Define Formal agencies of social control
Formal rules and social controls that tell everyone within society what is and is not acceptable e.g. the police, the courts, the government
Define Informal agencies of social control
The approval or disapproval of people around us that can influence and control our behaviour e.g. family, friends, peer group, schools, work, religion
What are official crime statistics?
Government statistics on crime based on official sources e.g. police records
What is a self-report study?
A survey that asks respondents to identify crimes they have committed, but for which they have not been caught
What is the Social construction of crime?
What is considered criminal and deviant changes over time or when it takes place, therefore is socially constructed. No act is in itself criminal or deviant- it largely depends on how other member of society see it e.g. homosexuality
What is a victim survey?
A survey that asks respondents about their experience of crime, regardless of whether or not those crimes have reported
Define Anomie
When norms that usually regulate people’s behaviour break down
Define Deviant career
Deviant behaviour that develops over time due to labels. e.g. labelled a troublemaker at school and then goes onto commit crime later in life
Define Deviancy amplification
The exaggeration of a particular social issue as a consequence of media coverage, e.g. anti-social behaviour by groups of young people
Define Hate Crime
Crime based on prejudice towards others because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender
What is status frustration?
A sense of frustration arising in individuals or groups because they are denied status in society
What is White collar crime?
Criminal acts committed by people in high status positions, such as accountants, doctors or solicitors, during their work, fraud, tax evasion and ‘fiddling’ expense accounts at work
What is Violent crime?
Recorded as ‘violence against the person’, which covers grievous bodily harm (GBH), assault, kidnap, child abduction, harassment and threats to kill
