sociological theories Flashcards
explain Durkheim’s idea of the collective conscience
society shares a set of co-values and the more behaviour deviates from this the more likely such behaviour is seen as deviant.
summarise Merton’s strain theory
a strain between cultural goals of a society (the American dream) and the legitimate means to achieve these goals. In mainstream society there are agreed goals and legitimate means of achieving them a strain between goals and means breaks this chain and deviant acts emerge. Those at the bottom find it hardest to succeed, therefore they are likely to seek out alternative rates to success that can be economic or personal.
what is the classic Marxist opinion
capitalism is a crime, capitalism causes crime. Crime happens as a result of inequality and poverty, ruling classes define working classes as deviants, parallels with learning theory. Marx believed that the rich make laws in order to protect the wealth and power therefore poverty theft and benefit fraud are often seen to be harshly punished by some when compared to crimes such as embezzlement.
summarise neo-marxism theory
the criminal makes a choice. They reject all theories that see behaviour as driven by external forces and instead claim, individuals turn to crime as a meaningful attempt to construct their self-conception. They deny crime is caused by biology, subcultures, the environment, labelling or poverty, instead claiming crime is often deliberate and conscious acts with political moves.
explain Durkheim’s functionalist approach?
starts with society rather than the individual. Crime is inevitable, a normal part of society, present in all types of society- even higher crime rates in more advanced industrialised societies. It is inevitable not every member of society can be equally committed to collective sentiments.
what did Durkheim imagine a society of
saints where no serious crime existed and yet deviance would remain as the slightest slip would be regarded as a serious offence. Crime is functional- all social change begins with some deviance.
what does crime strengthen according to Durkheim
Crime strengthens social cohesion- by publicly condemning the rule breakers, we became aware of social norms and values and our limitations of tolerance. Public response therefore reinforces social solidarity.
explain the societal conflict belief compared to the Marxist belief
it states society is in a conflict with each other and Marxism claims that this conflict is between the rich and the poor.
explain Becker’s labelling theory
people in power decide what conduct is deviant or criminal in order to control others. Labelling someone a criminal, makes that person a criminal- not the person’s conduct itself.
which theorists are associated with left realism
young, lea and Matthews.
young was disenchanted by Marxism what did he belief
“criminals should be seen as the victims of a capitalist society and that sociological analyses of crime should stress the criminality of the rich and powerful”
young thought marxism was left realism but lacked a practical solution, what are the 3 parts to the left explanation
1) relative deprivation 2) subculture 3) marginalisation.
explain the relative deprivation part of the left explanation
1) political revolution only occurred when the poor became aware of the differences between themselves and rich. Without this they generally accepted their poverty that leads to revolution but awareness
explain the subculture part of the left explanation
certain groups are more likely to suffer economic, political and social deprivation.
explain the marginalisation part of the left explanation
draws on subcultures develop amongst groups who suffer relative deprivation and marginalisation
