Social Construction of Crime

Question 1

what does Quinney’s conflict theory argue?

Answer 1

society is in a constant state of structural conflict due to incompatible interests of diverse groups; what becomes criminal are the behaviours that conflict with the interests of the dominant group, so laws are largely aimed at powerless groups; crime is socially constructed so that the punishment of criminals reinforces narratives of the powerful

Question 2

what did Box argue about focus on typical offenders?

Answer 2

focus on typical offenders (young, male, ethnic minorities) is an illusion that deflects from more serious, harmful crimes being committed by older, white males

Question 3

are there such things as universal crimes?

Answer 3

no one crime has always been considered criminal because deviance is culturally, geographically, and historically relative