Law Consensus and Conflict Flashcards
Three theories:
- Consensus
- Conflict
- Labelling
Consensus: idea
The institutions that we are brought up in (school) shape our understanding of right and wrong, for example positive and negative reinforcement.
Durkheim: beliefs
Crime serves a useful unction to society.
* Reinforced social norms
* Criminal behavior being publicly condemned works as a deterrent.
Conflict theory
Idea that society is in constant conflict due to competition for limited resources.
Conflict: Karl Marx
Social inequality causes this conflict, theory fails to account for instances in which law makers are reluctant to change the law.
Labelling theory
A person’s identity and behavior is determined or influenced by the labels they’re described as.
Stereotyping
Oversimplified generalization or label applied to a whole group of people, links to Stephen Lawrence.
