Describe Sociological Theories of Criminality Flashcards
Social structure- what is this theory?
This theory assumes that a disadvantaged social class is the primary cause of crime and that criminal behaviour begins in youth.
Marxism- what does this theory talk about?
Sees crime as something being inevitable in a capitalistic society and is used by the ruling class as a means of social control and that if someone doesn’t conform they would be punished e.g the usage of police.
Marxism- what are the higherarcy of the marxism theor
Ruling class/higher class- bourgeoisie
The working class- proletariat
Marxism- what type of crime would be ignored by the police
White collar crime because it is committed by the bourgeoisie
Crime and a functional approach- what type of approach would be helped to achieve solidarity in society.
To have a moderate crime rate because if the crime rate is too high or low then society won’t improve, for example homosexuality would still be illegal because if thier was no opposition to the law then thier wouldn’t be any change.
Merton’s strain theory- what is his theory that crime is committed?
Society encourages us to commit to the goals of material success but society is unable to provide the legitimate means for everyone, so this theory is meant to comfort people who are unable to gain the material wealth they desire e.g. comfort and accept the situation, become ritualistic (where sight of goals is lost)
Interactionism- what is this theory trying to convey?
It refers to how society interacts with one another e.g. Howard Becker uses his labelling theory to explain criminality which argues that official statistics on crime are socially constructed and that crime itself is socially constructed.
Interactionism- what other theories believe in internationalism
Edwin Lemert- he believes that there are two different types of deviance, primary deviance which is a violation of norms that does not result in any long-term effects on the individual’s self-image or interactions with others. and secondary deviance occurs when a person’s self-concept and behavior begin to change after his or her actions are labeled as deviant by members of society.
Right realism- what is the standpoint of this theory?
Right realism considers crime from the perspective of political conservatism with the standpoint of getting tough on crime.
Right realism theorist Charles Murray- what does his theory show
He says that everyone is tempted to commit crime but that amount of social bonds that often prevent us from doing so.
Right realism- one example of right realism
Charles Murray- the development of the underclass such as single parenting with young boys growing up without an appropriate role model e.g a son growing up without a father.
Left realism- what does this theory try to convey
It suggests that crime lies in the inequalities created by a capitalistic society
Left realism- what are ways to reduce crime?
They believe that both practical measures to reduce crime and a long term change towards a more equal and caring society would be needed.
Left realism- what is the cause of crime in thier point of view.
The cause if crime is cause by the capitalistic society that as been created because not everyone can have the materialistic positions that they want which would encourage them to commit crime to gain the materialistic positions
