social exclusion and the underclass and sociological criminology Flashcards
is there a single cause of crime?
no, there is no one ‘cause’ of crime. Crime is a complex phenomenon that varies across cultures and over time
how can legality differ between countries?
activities that are legal in one country, such as alcohol consumption in the UK, can be illegal in others, like in strict Muslim countries
why is it difficult to define crime?
there is no simple answer to the question ‘what is crime?’ and therefore no single answer to ‘what causes crime?’ Different types of crime often have distinct causes
what do sociological approaches suggest about crime?
sociological approaches indicate that crime is shaped by external factors, such as experiences within the neighbourhood, peer groups, and family
what are Individual Difference Theories?
these theories focus on the unique characteristics of individuals that may lead to criminal behaviour, emphasising personal traits and psychological factors
what do Social Structural Theories examine?
these macro-sociological theories look at how societal structures, such as socioeconomic status and community dynamics, influence crime rates
what is Strain Theory?
strain Theory posits that crime occurs when individuals experience a disconnect between societal goals and the means available to achieve them, leading to frustration and deviance
what is Social Disorganisation Theory?
this theory suggests that crime is more likely to occur in communities with weak social structures and low levels of community cohesion
what do Subcultural Theories focus on?
these theories examine how specific subcultures develop their own norms and values, which may support or encourage criminal behaviour
what are Social Process Theories?
these micro-sociological theories explore how interactions and relationships within society contribute to criminal behaviour
what is Differential Association Theory?
this theory asserts that criminal behaviour is learned through interactions with others, particularly within intimate groups
what does Social Control Theory suggest?
social Control Theory posits that strong social bonds and community ties can prevent individuals from engaging in criminal behaviour
what is the Labelling Perspective?
this perspective focuses on how being labeled as a criminal can influence an individual’s self-identity and lead to further criminal behaviour
what is the intellectual history of the sociological study of crime and punishment?
the sociological study of crime and punishment has a rich intellectual history that encompasses multiple traditions. Some of these traditions trace their roots to European social theorists of the nineteenth century, such as Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx
how does American sociology differ in its approach to crime and punishment compared to European traditions?
not all sociological work on crime and punishment descends in a ‘top down’ fashion from European sources. There is a long tradition in American sociology of ‘bottom up’ inquiry that begins with intensive empirical research into the dynamics of crime and punishment, building conceptual frameworks upon that foundation, as seen in the Chicago School
what is the first key contribution of sociologists to the study of crime and punishment?
the first key contribution is often called a ‘relational approach,’ which emphasises the relationships and interactions between individuals and their social environments
what is the second key contribution of sociologists to the study of crime and punishment?
the second key contribution is an attention to context, recognising the specific social, economic, and cultural factors that influence crime
what is the third key contribution of sociologists to the study of crime and punishment?
the third key contribution is a concern with social hierarchies of all kinds, examining how class, race, and gender impact crime and the criminal justice system
what is a “relational approach” in the study of crime and punishment from a sociological perspective?
a “relational approach” focuses on the dynamic relationships between the objects of study, which can include individuals, social groups, neighbourhoods, organisations, nation-states, or regions of the world, rather than just the attributes of individuals or specific groups
how does the sociological perspective differ in its focus when studying crime and punishment?
the distinctive aspect of the sociological perspective is its emphasis on the interactions and relationships between various objects of study instead of solely concentrating on individual characteristics or specific group attributes
what is the second important contribution sociologists make to the study of crime and punishment?
sociologists bring an attention to context, which involves situating phenomena within their social, cultural, and political environments, as well as considering historical and economic contexts
how does attention to context benefit sociologists in their study of crime and punishment?
this attention to context allows sociologists to create compelling narratives about crime and punishment, illustrating how laws are implemented in specific situations and how social processes and decision-making related to social control occur through social interaction, both within the criminal justice system and in civil society
what is the third tendency in sociological inquiry regarding crime and punishment?
the third tendency is a concern with social hierarchies of all kinds, including power, domination, coercion, and inequality
how do sociologists view the influence of social hierarchies on criminal justice systems?
sociologists are concerned with how various forms of power, whether based on race, ethnicity, gender, social class, or organisational structures, influence criminal justice systems and their operations