Crime and Deviance

Question 1

Why do functionalist argue crime is inevitable ?

Answer 1

• It is universal
• Not everyone is socialised correctly
• Different groups develop their own subcultures (which weaken the collective conscience of society)

Question 2

Positive functions of crime (according to Durkheim)

Answer 2

a. Boundary maintenance: Reaffirms societies shared rules and reinforces social solidarity.
b. Adaption: Challenging existing norms and values gives rise to a new culture so society doesn’t stagnate (e.g. suffragette).

Question 3

Criticisms of functionalism .

Answer 3

• Doesn’t explain how much deviance is needed
• Ignores the victims
• Crime doesn’t always promote solidarity e.g. women fearing attacks so stay in doors.

Question 4

What are Hirschi 4 social bonds ?

Answer 4

(1) Attachment
(2) Commitment
(3) Involvement
(4) Belief

The family is crucial in developing theses bonds.

Question 5

What does Merton’s strain theory argue ?

Answer 5

People engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals.

Means VS goals

Question 6

What are Merton’s 5 types of adaption to strain ?

Answer 6

(Goals - Means)
• Conformity (✔✔)
• Innovation (✔✘)
• Ritualism (✘✔)
• Retreatism (✘✘)
• Rebellions (✘✔, ✘✔)

Question 7

Evaluation of Merton

Answer 7

+ Explains official statistics of crime

• Assumes there is a value consensus
• Ignores group deviance
• Only accounts for utilitarian crime

Question 8

What is status frustration ?

Answer 8

Cohen argues it’s when w/c boys are left at the bottom of the status hierarchy due to the inability to succeed in a m/c dominated education system.

So, resorts to an alternative status hierarchy where status can be achieved.

Question 9

What are Cloward and Ohlin : 3 subcultures

Answer 9

“Different neighbourhoods provide different illegitimate opportunities”

• Criminal (apprenticeship
• Conflict (criminal network)
• Retreatism (double failures)

Question 10

Evaluation of Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 10

+ Explains different types of working class deviance

• Deterministic

Question 11

Millers : Focal concerns

Answer 11

Argues w/c have their own values and cultures that are passed down.

Examples: Excitement, toughness and fate.

Question 12

Matza : Drift theory

Answer 12

Young people will drift in and out of crime as are susceptible to peer pressure.

Question 13

What are statistics of ethnicity in crime ?

Answer 13

• Black people are over represented - they are 7x more likely to be stopped and searched.
• 2.8% of the population but 11% of prison population.
• White people are underrepresented at every stage of the CJS.

Question 14

What are alternative sources of statistics (victims surveys)

Answer 14

Identify the ethnicity of the person who committed the crime against them.

Shows crime is intra-ethnic (within rather than between ethnic group).

• Relies on memory
• Excludes crimes by and against organisation

Question 15

What are alternative sources of statistics (self-report studies)

Answer 15

Individuals disclose their own dishonest and violent behaviour.

Similar rates of offending between blacks and whites.

Challenges stereotypes.

Question 16

Why might ethnic minorities have different rates of crime ?

Answer 16

• Police racism
• Weaken cases against ethnic minorities (more likely to be dropped)
• Harsher sentences written by prohibition officers

Question 17

How does left realism explain ethnic differences ?

Answer 17

Argue statistics represent real differences.

Due to;
• Relative deprivation
• Marginalisation
• Subcultures

Question 18

How do Neo-marxism explain ethnic differences in statistics ?

Answer 18

They believe they are socially constructed resulting from discrimination.

Question 19

Gilroy : Myth of black criminality

Answer 19

Gilroy argues black criminality is a myth created by racist stereotypes due to the police and CJS acting on these stereotypes.

Ethnic minorities crime can be seen as a form of political resistance.

+ Romanticises street crime

Question 20

Hall et al : Policing the crisis

Answer 20

Hall argues the 1970s saw a moral panic over black muggers to distract problems caused by capitalism.

Question 21

Gender patterns in crime .

Answer 21

• Most crimes are committed by males (4/5 offenders)
• Females commit more property offenders
• Males are more likely to repeat offenders

Question 22

Do women commit more crime ?

Answer 22

a. Female crimes are less likely to be reported.

b. Women’s crime are less likely to be prosecuted or more likely to be let off likely.

Question 23

Describe the chivalry thesis .

Answer 23

Men are socialised to act in a chivalrous way towards women. So, the CJS are thus more lenient with women.

Question 24

Is there bias against women ?

Answer 24

Feminists argue the CJS is biased against women as females are treated more harshly when they deviate from gender norms.

This creates a double standard against promiscuous.

Question 25

Describe the functionalist sex role theory .

Answer 25

Argues due to socialisation; males are more likely to be aggressive explaining high involvement in violent crimes.

Girls are socialised to be caring and nurturing these characteristics discourage involvement in crime.

Question 26

What is patriarchal control ?

Answer 26

i. Control at home - This reduces the opportunity to offend.

ii Control in public - Due to the threat of male violence.

iii. Control at work - Women’s subordinate position reduces their opportunity to engage in crime, e.g. glass ceiling.

Question 27

Describe the liberation thesis .

Answer 27

Alder argues women are becoming liberated from the patriarchy so commit typically male offences.

Question 28

Why do men commit crime ?

Answer 28

Messerschmidt :
Argues masculinity is a social construct but some men have subordinated masculinity.

White m/c - subordinate masculinity for education.

White w/c - masculinity is constructed around sexist attitude.

Question 29

What is globalisation impact on masculinity .

Answer 29

Globalisation has led to a loss of manual jobs leading to men having to demonstrate their masculinity through violence.

Illustrated by Winlow’s bouncers study.