explanations of corporate crime

Question 1

strain theory

Answer 1

• some unable to achieve society’s goals through legitimate means
• some companies turn to illegal means to maximise profit

AO3: doesn’t explain crime in non-profit areas such as the police

Question 2

differential association

Answer 2

• crime is learned in a social context
• will become deviant if we associate with criminals
• socialised into deviant subcultures
• e.g. employees socialised into company crimes

Question 3

labelling theory

Answer 3

• only a crime if it has been labelled as one
• WC more likely to have their actions defined as crimes
• businesses can avoid labelling through expensive lawyers

Question 4

marxism

Answer 4

• corporate crime is result of capitalism
• causes harm among employees and consumers
• implies corporate crime is less harmful than WC crime

AO3: overpredicts amount of business crime