Crimes In The Streets, Crimes In The Homes

Question 1

What are the 3 sociological theories about house crime?

Answer 1

1. General systems theory
   - focuses on family dynamics as offering the potential for conflict
2. Resource theory
   - sees violence as a means of establishing dominance in a family absent of other resources
3. Exchange theory
   - violence arises when the benefits outweigh the costs

Question 2

What are 4 types of private house crime?

Answer 2

1. domestic violence
2. Sexual victimisation
3. Elder and child abuse
4. Racial bullying attacks

Question 3

What was the historical belief towards crime in the home?

Answer 3

Home was a private matter = domestic violence seen as a private issue that could not be intervened in by an outsider
- roots in historical male focused legislation

Question 4

What is the current belief towards crime in the home?

Answer 4

Crime in the home is a serious legal issue and should be intervened

Question 5

What are 3 types of street crime?

Answer 5

1. Robbery
2. Motor vehicle theft
3. Lock outs

Question 6

Define the term ‘media sensationalism’

Answer 6

Emphasise specific, unusual, graphic crime and report-out-of-context
- more popular, available and digestible

Question 7

Define the term ‘media factualism’

Answer 7

Avoids emotive presentation styles and gives a balanced perspective

Question 8

What are the conditions of street crime like?

Answer 8

• consistently more fearful of public spaces and strangers
• fear of crime not related to actual risk of victimisation
  - > older people and women are most fearful although there are no true stats to support they are the most frequent victims