Social class and crime Flashcards
What is the relationship between living in deprived wards in Scotland and imprisonment?
Strong relationship
Indicates that individuals living in deprived areas are more likely to be imprisoned.
What does the CSEW (2003-06) suggest about social class and individual circumstances regarding crime?
Social class = not significant, individual circumstances = more important
Example: single-parent families have a more significant impact.
According to Marx, what is the Lumpenproletariat?
W/C but not in work, dehumanised due to lack of work
This group may turn to crime as a result.
What did Gordon (1976) argue about capitalism?
Encourages greed, leading to crime in a ‘dog-eat-dog’ environment
Reflects the competitive nature of capitalism.
What is Merton’s (1938) concept of anomie?
Over-emphasis on societal goals leads to crime through illegitimate means
Anomie results from a disconnect between societal goals and the means to achieve them.
What did Cohen (1955) find regarding delinquent boys and status deprivation?
Crime = non-utilitarian, lack of status, gain status by breaking societal norms
This suggests that status concerns can drive criminal behavior.
What are illegitimate opportunity structures according to Cloward & Ohlin (1960)?
Succeed with organised crime, subcultures in W/C
Indicates that access to crime opportunities varies by social structure.
What does Lea & Young (1984) say about relative deprivation?
Turn to crime when expectations are not met, marginalisation leads to criminality
This highlights how unmet social expectations can lead to crime.
What did Miller (1958) identify as focal concerns in lower-class culture?
Distinctive culture with issues that lead to trouble with the law
These concerns are responses to socio-economic conditions.
What does Murray suggest about the underclass?
Culture of dependency on welfare, values of laziness
Critiques welfare benefits as promoting a lack of work ethic.
What did Hales et al. find regarding children from single-parent families?
High rates of criminality explained by low income, not loose morals
Suggests socio-economic factors are more significant than family structure alone.
What was Chambliss’s (1973) finding regarding juvenile gangs?
Saints (M/C) vs. Roughnecks (W/C), Roughnecks labelled due to stereotypes
Highlights class bias in perceptions of youth crime.
What is the role of police discretion according to Newburn & Reiner (2007)?
Important in deciding which law-breakers are arrested, focuses on stereotypes
This indicates systemic bias in law enforcement practices.
What do Tombs & Whyte (2010) argue about corporate crime?
Corporations have enormous power, senior managers often immune from prosecution
Highlights challenges in addressing white-collar crime.
