Postmodernism Flashcards
What is Postmodernism?
Postmodern theorists believe that the era we are living in can be classed as postmodern due to its fundamental differences from the age of modernity.
Postmodernism emerged in the late 20th century.
What is Modernity?
The time period or era of humanity that was defined by scientific, technological, and socioeconomic changes that started in Europe around the year 1650 and ended in around 1950.
What do Postmodernists think about crime?
Postmodernists would argue the idea that crime is a social construction.
Crime is an expression of a particular view of those ‘powerful people’ of how individuals in society should behave and act.
Postmodernists reject grand theorising of explaining criminality such as Functionalism or Marxism.
Crime is only concerned with the individual.
What is meant by Consumers of society?
In a postmodern society, identity is shaped through consumer culture, driven by media influence. People are encouraged to avoid social harm by participating in consumerism—buying unnecessary goods and maintaining jobs to afford them. This reinforces social control, as individuals comply with societal norms to keep their jobs. However, those unable to participate face harsher control measures, such as increased policing.
What is Fragmentation?
Fragmentation: The breaking down of shared norms and values, leading to individuals adopting more personalised and complex identities and lifestyles.
What do Postmodernists think causes crimes?
-Individualism
-Culture of resentment
What is Individualism?
Individuals shape their own lifestyles, values, and identities, emphasizing individualism over collective concern. Crime has no single cause; it stems from personal factors rather than societal influence, with each offense driven by unique motivations specific to the individual.
What is Katz prospective of Individualism?
Criminals do not weigh up the pros and cons - they commit crimes because it is thrilling and exciting.
The “experience” of crime from the offender’s point of view - to the emotions and sensory experience.
Katz, J. (1988) Seductions of Crime. (Book)
What is Lyng’s prospective of individualism?
The concept of ‘edgework’.
Criminals know the boundaries of society and attempt to test the laws as a thrill-seeking opportunity
The risk of being caught is part of the appeal.
Lyng, S. (1990). Edgework: A Social Psychological Analysis of Voluntary Risk Taking
What is Culture of resentment?
There is still a gap between expectations and achievements, leading to a culture of resentment.
The idea that the media creates this gap - the media teaches people what to expect from life and what they can actually achieve and afford.
This creates a culture of resentment- the inability of some individuals to satisfy material need leads to resentment against those who can.
What are the advantages of Postmodernism?
Postmodernism helps explain the diverse reasons people commit crime over the ‘simplistic’ explanations offered by other theories such as Marxism.
It explains non-utilitarian crimes (no material benefit) such as hate crime.
What are the disadvantages of Postmodernism?
Fails to explain the resentment felt by those who are marginalised or provide solutions to marginalisation.
It fails to explain why people feel a strong sense of right and wrong (underpins the law).
Culture of resentment – not necessarily new.
