Social class and crime Flashcards
What does Newburn (2007) claim?
Postmodernist who claims that C&D research is focused unfairly on lower SES people because they lack power in society
They might need to commit crime because they’re more desperate, and sociologists may be judging them unfairly
What does Sutherland (1949, 1983) suggest?
Crime exists in all social class levels
He called lower-class crime “blue collar” and upper-class crime “white collar”
What is white collar crime?
White collar crime is the abuse of personal power for selfish gain
What is corporate crime?
Corporate crime is upper-class crime committed by companies
What does corporate crime include?
- Non-compliance
- Environmental
- Manufacturing crime
- Labour law crime/Health and Safety violations
- Unfair trade
- Financial crimes
Why is corporate crime often less reported?
- Easier to hide
- Hard to find an individual victim unless many complaints are made
- Benefit both parties
- Hard to investigate
- Lack of awareness as victims often don’t know they’ve been tricked/ripped off
- Corporations are nearly impossible to act against
- Corporations often let off for “public good”
What is Strain Theory?
Workers are under pressure to fulfil middle-class social stereotypes
Status frustration can lead failing workers to crime
What is Control Theory?
Workers with aggressive/competitive traits are drawn together in competitive professions like business and law Together, they’ll become more extreme as they try to out perform each other
What is Differential Association?
The more we mix with criminals, the more chance their behaviour influences us
Criminal acts can snowball if a senior member of the organisation is seen to get away with it
What is Marxist Theory?
Capitalism is all about individual success, competition and climbing the hierarchy, so it promotes “success at all costs” attitudes
What is Labelling Theory?
Non-violent crimes are labelled as less serious
Financial crimes are easier to live with and less harshly punished as a result
What is Edgework Theory?
There’s an “edgework” subculture in many businesses where people take increasing risks to be seen as innovative and feel excited
This eventually can lead to crime as a big/impressive risk
