CRIME AND DEVIANCE: Social Class and Crime Flashcards
What form did Newburn (2007) say social class and crime take?
Postmodernist who claims crime and deviance research focused unfairly on lower SES people because they lack power in society. They might need to commit crime because they’re more desperate and may be judged unfairly.
What form did Sutherland say social class and crime took?
Suggested crime exists in all social class levels. Called lower class crime ‘Blue Collar Crime’ and upper-class crime ‘White Collar Crime’.
What is White Collar Crime?
Abuse of personal power for selfish gain (e.g. bankers stealing client’ money)
What is Corporate Crime?
Upper-class crime committed by companies
What are examples of corporate crime?
- Non compliance: acting without permission
- Environmental: damaging nature
- Manufacturing crime: false representation of product
- Labour Law Crime: ignoring health and safety concerns
- Unfair Trade: false advertising; price fixing
- Financial Crimes: tax evasion
Why is Corporate Crime less often reported?
- Easier to hide: corporations have HR departments
- Hard to find individual victim
- Hard to investigate: only people with companies can access their records easily
- Lack of awareness: victims often don’t know they’ve been tricked/ripped off
- Corporations are nearly impossible to act against
Strain Theory as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime?
Workers are under pressure to fulfill middle class social stereotypes. Status frustration can lead failing workers to crime.
Control Theory as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime?
Workers with aggressive/competitive traits traits are drawn together in competitive professions like business and law. They’ll become more extreme as they try to outperform each other
Differential Association as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime
The more we mix with criminals, the more chance their behaviour influences us. Criminal acts can quickly snowball if a senior member of the organisation is seen to get away with it.
Marxist Theory as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime
Capitalism is all about the individual success, competition and climbing the hierarchy, so it promotes ‘success at all costs’ attitude. (criminogenic capitalism)
Labelling Theory as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime
Non-violent crimes are labelled as less serious. Financial crimes are easier to live with and less harshly punished as a result.
Edgework Theory as an explanation for white-collar and corporate crime
There’s an ‘edgework’ subculture in many business; where people take increasing risks to be seen as innovative and feel excited. This eventually can lead to crime as a big/impressive risk
