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sociological theories of criminality Flashcards

1
Q

what is structural theories

A

these theories focus on the structure of society and how it is organised

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2
Q

what do structural theory look at

A

they look at how equal or unequal a society is, what holds it together and what things cause conflict and division
and they see the structure of society as being underlaying cause of crime, rather than individual choice or individual pathology.

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3
Q

what was Durkheim(1858-1917) key idea

A

that functionalists see society as a stable structure based on shared norms, values and beliefs about right and wrong and most people conform to society’s shared norms and values and do not deviate.

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4
Q

why is crime inevitable

A

because in every society there are some individuals are inadequately socialised, making it likely to deviate.
society contains subculture with different values so the shared rule of behaviour becomes un clear

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5
Q

what does anomie mean

A

where shared norms become weakened

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6
Q

what is a subculture

A

it is a subgroup in society that disagree with the shared norms of ‘main society’

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7
Q

how many functions of crime are there

A

4

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8
Q

what is boundary maintenance

A

it is crime that produces a reaction that unites society’s members against the criminal, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong and reaffirming shared norms

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9
Q

what is social change

A

it for society to change people with new ideas must challenge existing norms and values and this will be seen as deviance at first like homosexuality

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10
Q

safety valve

A

is a organisations that are outlets for behaviour that is considered but cannot be remove from society

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11
Q

what example is used for safety valve

A

davis argues that prostitutions acts to release men’s frustration without threatening the nuclear family

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12
Q

what does nuclear family mean

A

it is a “traditional” family oragnsation consisting of husband wife and 2 kids

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13
Q

what is a warning light

A

deviance shows that an institution isn’t functioning properly like high truancy rates could indicate problems with the education system

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14
Q

a strength of Durkheim theory

A

he was the first to recognise that crime can have positive functions for society, example reinforcing boundaries between right and wrong by uniting people against the wrongdoer

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15
Q

a limitation of Durkheim theory

A

he claims society requires a certain amount of deviance to function but offers no way of knowing how much the right amount is, whilst crime might be functional for some it is not functional for victims

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16
Q

what was Merton’s strain theory key idea

A

that blocked opportunities to achieve society’s goals by legitimate means causes individuals to use criminal means

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17
Q

what did Merton think people should pursue

A

people should peruse through legitimate means like getting good education and a good job but some people grow up in poverty where they don’t have access to good education, they still want success but the opportunities to achieve this legitimately is blocked.

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18
Q

what did Merton think the root of crime was

A

it was the unequal structure of society, where wealth is seen as the ultimate goal and measure of success

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19
Q

what is a conformists

A

it is a person that conforms if they choose a course of action that is socially acceptable

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20
Q

what is innovation

A

innovators accept the goals, but find illegal ways of achieving it by committing utilitarian crime. they accept the goals but reject the means

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21
Q

what is utilitarian crime

A

where they commit a crime for financial gain

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22
Q

what is ritualism

A

ritualists gives up striving for success and plod along in a dead end job(typically not criminals). they reject the goal but accepts the means

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23
Q

what is retreatism

A

retreatlists are dropouts who reject the goals and means, vagrants and drug addicts- gives up and commits moral crime

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24
Q

what is rebellion

A

rebels reject the existing goals and means and replace it with news ones with aim of changing society, like political radicals

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25
Q

what does goals mean

A

something you want to achieve

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26
Q

what does means mean

A

process you have to follow to achieve

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27
Q

Negative~ Merton focuses on utilitarian crime Merton’s theory

A

ignoring crimes with no economic motive reductionist

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28
Q

Positive~ merton shows how both normal and deviant behaviour

A

arise from the same goals conformist and innovators both pursue ‘money success’ but different means- vadiltly

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29
Q

Where did cohen believe deviance came from

A

He agree that deviance comes from the lower classes, failure to achieve by legitimate means, but he sees subcultural deviance as a group response to failure not just an individual one.

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30
Q

What crimes does Cohen focus on

A

Focuses on non-utilitarian crimes like vandalism

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31
Q

What things are said about working class boys

A

Most working class boys end up at the bottom of the school’s official status hierarchy and teachers think they are ‘thick’

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32
Q

What do the working class boys suffer from

A

They suffer from status frustration, a feeling of worthlessness

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33
Q

What happens to working class boys when they get status frustration

A

A subculture is create, gives them an alternative status hierarchy where they can win respect through delinquency. This turns society’s values upside down, e.g. society values property where as they boys gain stays by vandalising it.

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34
Q

What is criminal subcultures?

A

Arise in areas where there is a longstanding, professional criminal Network. They select suitable youths for an ‘apprenticeship’ in utilitarian crime and a future criminal careers.

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35
Q

What is conflict subcultures?

A

Arise where the only criminal opportunities are within street gangs. Violence provides a release for frustration and a source of status earned by winning territory from rival gangs

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36
Q

What is retreating subcultures?

A

Are made up of dropouts who have failed in both the legitimate and the illegitimate opportunity structures they are often based on drug use

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37
Q

Positive~ these theories show what

A

How subcultures perform a function for their members by offering solutions to the problems of failing to achieve main stream goals legitimately

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38
Q

What is the key idea of the Marxist theory

A

Capitalism us criminogenic it is root cause of crime. All cases commit crime, but selective law enforcement means crime appears to be only a working class problem.

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39
Q

What is capitalism

A

It is an economic system bases on the market forces of supply and demand, private ownership and minimal state intervention.

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40
Q

What type of theory is the Marxist

A

Structural and conflict theory

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41
Q

What does Marxist argue

A

He argue that the unequal structure of capitalist society shapes people’s behaviour, including criminal behaviour and how society deals with it.

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42
Q

How many classes capitalist society

A

2

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43
Q

What does bourgeoisie mean

A

The rich ‘ruling class’, who own the means of production(businesses, bank)

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44
Q

what does proletariat mean

A

The working class, whose labour the capitalists exploit to make profit

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45
Q

In all the instigation of capitalists society what do they to maintain this inequality and exploitation

A

The law and criminal justice system work to keep the working class in their place.

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46
Q

What does criminogenic mean

A

It means to cause crime

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47
Q

What does exploitation to the working class

A

It drives them into poverty, meaning crime may be the only way to survive

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48
Q

What does inequality cause

A

Feelings of alienation and frustration which a result in non-utilitarian crimes

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49
Q

What does Chambliss argue in law making

A

Laws are made to protect private property of the rich.The laws against poverty or vacancy

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50
Q

What is selective law enforcement in Marxists

A

He think that law is enforced selectively, against the working- class but not the upper class

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51
Q

How many companies have broken safety laws

A

200

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52
Q

What is ideology in Marxist

A

It is a set of ideas that conceal the inequality of capitalist society

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53
Q

What’s does the ideas encourage in Marxist

A

The working class to accept capitalism rather than replacing it with a more equal society

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54
Q

In ideology, where does the attention shift away from in Marxist

A

More serious ruling class crime

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55
Q

Negative~ not all capitalist societies have what (marxism)

A

have high crime rates

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56
Q

Negative~ it focuses on class and ignores what(marxism)

A

The relationship between crime and other inequalities

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57
Q

Negative~ Merton sees deviance solely as what

A

An individual response, ignoring the group deviance of delinquent subcultures

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58
Q

Positive~ Merton theory explains the pattern shown in official stats most crimes is properly crime because what

A

Because society values wealth so highly working-class crime rates are higher, because they have less opportunity to obtain wealth legitimately

59
Q

Negative~ Merton ignores what

A

Crimes of wealthy and over-predicts the amount of working-class crime.

60
Q

Positive~ Cloward and Ohlin shows what

A

How different types of neighbourhood give rise to different illegitimate opportunities and different subcultures(criminal,conflict and retreatist)

61
Q

Negative~they ignore what crimes (three subcultures)

A

Crimes of the wealthy and over-predict the amount of working class crime - reductionist

62
Q

Negative~ actual subcultures are not what (three subcultures)

A

Are not as clear-cut as cloward and Ohlin claim: some cultures show characteristic of all three types

63
Q

Negative~ it over-predict what (marxism)

A

The amount of working-class crime:not all poor people turns to crime

64
Q

Positive~it shows poverty and inequality can cause what(marxism)

A

Working-class crime, and how capitalism proteomes greed and encourages upper-class crime

65
Q

Positive~ it shows how both law-making enforcement are what (marxism)

A

Biased against the working class and in favour of the powerful

66
Q

Labelling theorist are interested in how and why of what

A

Certain acts come to be defined or labelled as criminal

67
Q

What did they argued (labelling)

A

That no act is inherently criminal or deviant in itself

68
Q

Crime is a social what (labelling)

A

Construct- conceived by society

69
Q

When does crime come(labelling)

A

Comes to be so when others label it as such

70
Q

Crime is not what (labelling)

A

It is not the nature of the act that males it deviant, but the nature of sciety’s reaction to the act.

71
Q

What did Becker(main theorist of labelling) state 1963

A

“Social groups create deviance by creating the rules whose breaking constitutes deviance and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders”

72
Q

Becker argued what about selective law enforcement (labelling)

A

That agents of social control use considerable discretion and selective judgement in deciding whether and how to deal with illegal behaviour

73
Q

What did Becker suggest about selective law enforcement(labelling)

A

That police operate with pre-existing conceptions and stereotypes which influence how they deal with crime they come across

74
Q

What is primary deviance

A

In loves the act that have not been publicly labelled

75
Q

What is secondary deviance

A

Involves the act that have been publicly labelled and person is treated bases on that label

76
Q

What is a master status

A

Controls persons identity

77
Q

Examples of master status

A

Person is found guilty of theft, this person is now labelled as a theft. All other characteristics like worker, manager, father and husband are over ridden

78
Q

Deviant faces

A

Reflection from social groups and careers

79
Q

How might a deviant career start (labelling)

A

Close off means of legitimately rehabilitating and achieving societies consensus goals

80
Q

Ultimately Becker argue what

A

That societal reaction and application of deviant labels produce more deviance then they prevent

81
Q

Ultimately labelling someone as what

A

A criminal they are more likely to do on and commit more criminal acts

82
Q

What did cicourel 1986 argue about young people & labelling

A

That it is the meaning held by police officers that explain why most delinquents come from working class background

83
Q

When middle class delinquents are arrested they are less likely to what ( cicourel labelling)

A

To be charged with the offence as they do not fit the picture of a ‘typical delinquent’

84
Q

Negative~ it gives the offender what (labelling)

A

A ‘victim status’- realist argue that this perspective actually ignores the actual victims of crime

85
Q

Negative~ deterministic? (labelling)

A

Not everyone accepts their labels it doesn’t recognise the role of person choice

86
Q

Negative~ it fails to explain why what (labelling)

A

Why acts of primary deviance exist, focusing mainly on secondary deviance

87
Q

Negative~ structural sociologists argue what (labelling)

A

That there are deeper, structural explanations of crime, it isn’t all just a product of labelling and interactions

88
Q

What does determinism mean

A

Behaviour is determined by factors beyond the individual control

89
Q

Positive~ highlights what (labelling)

A

That enforcement is often discriminatory

90
Q

Positive~ that we cannot what (labelling)

A

Trust crime stats

91
Q

Positive~ that attempts to control what

A

Come can back fire and may make situation worse

92
Q

Positive~ that agents of what (labelling)

A

Of social control may actually be one of the major causes of crime

93
Q

What is right realist first view on crime (consensus)

A

Society is baes on common values and the law reflects these. All crime is therefore deviant

94
Q

What right realist second view on crime (nature)

A

Human nature is naturally selfish and destructive. It needs to be regulated, otherwise there would be anomie.

95
Q

The right realist third views on crime (rational choice)

A

Human beings make rational choices about how to behave and are aware of the consequence of Their actions. Criminal choose to be criminal

96
Q

The right realist fourth view on crime (role of government)

A

Job of gov is not to change society, but to keep it stable. Therefore, got should not tackle the causes of crime, but should focus on making life tough for those who choose crime.

97
Q

The right realist firth view on crime (importance of community)

A

Informal social controls from within the community are the best way to prevent crime- the bonds between people in a community need to be made stronger to keep crime down

98
Q

The right realist are not particularly interested interested in what

A

The causes of crime they are more focused on dealing with criminals

99
Q

The right realist have ways of explaining what

A

What does and does not causes crime, and we need to be aware of what they are

100
Q

What do right realist reject any argument of what

A

That links to poverty and unemployment to crime, although they do accepted the stats that claim crime is mostly committed by poor people, who are often unemployed and in poverty

101
Q

The cause of crime is what (right realist)

A

Is the decline of traditional communities may be at the heart of it

102
Q

Who start the welfare state

A

Charles Murray 1992

103
Q

What did the welfare state encourage

A

Dependency and a lack of motivation that is handed down through generations. It creates an underclass

104
Q

Welfare state said what

A

“Saps moral fibre, erodes Christian ethics and threatens values”

105
Q

What did marshland 1992 agreed with the welfare state

A

The “nanny state” removes individual choice and desire to work

106
Q

According to Murray what

A

Single parent families have different values to married couples

107
Q

Murray gave examples of his welfare sate

A

-children of single parent families have no set bed time
-are allowed to play unsupervised
-get away with being naughty

108
Q

Neg: overlooks structural causes ( right realism)

A

Fails to consider on social and economic factors, such as poverty and inequalities

109
Q

Neg: rationality overstated (right realism)

A

Ignoring impulsive or emotionally driven crimes

110
Q

Neg: ignores hidden crimes(right realism)

A

Doesn’t address white collar crime, domestic violence or child abuse

111
Q

Pos: direct cause focus(right realism)

A

Immediate identifiable factors leading to crime, advocating got targeted interventions

112
Q

Pos: opportunity reduction (right realism)

A

Reducing opportunities for crime through environmental design significantly lowers crime rates

113
Q

Pos: community control right realism

A

Enchanted local trust and cooperation with law enforcement there by reducing crime

114
Q

Pos: deterrence effectiveness right realism

A

Increased surveillance and stricter sentencing

115
Q

What is left realism based on

A

On rehabilitation-working to solve “cause of crime” working with criminals

116
Q

Where do left realist get their data from

A

Victim surveys

117
Q

What is relative deprivation. Left realism (one of the explanation)

A

Crime is not caused by poverty itself, but by the resentment of the poor at how little their income matches their exceptions

118
Q

What’s is subcultures in left realism

A

Groups in society process their problems and priorities. These can conflict with one another.

119
Q

What’s is marginalisation in left realism

A

Certain people find themselves economically and politically on the ‘edge’ of the society. Not listened to and have no powers to influence society

120
Q

With relative deprivation what the example

A

It can from the work of runciman 1966

“Revolution can only occur when the poor became aware of the sheer of the difference between themselves and the rich”

121
Q

What is lea & young left realism

A

Societal inequality increases due to cuts in social benefits, job opportunity security and wages

122
Q

What does media’s role promote

A

Consumerism creating unrealistic desires and and greed

123
Q

What’s the cycle of disconnect in left realism

A

RD can lead to a cycle where individuals, feeling marginalised and deprived, may turn to crime as it is form of protest

124
Q

What’s the impact of the cycle of disconnect left realism

A

It exacerbates social divisions creating a feedback loop can further increases crime rates and deeper societal inequalities

125
Q

Example of relative deprivation left realism

A

Lewis 2011 found the desire to consume by looting was a significant motivating factor amongst some of the 13,000-15,000 people involved in riots in English cities in august 2011

126
Q

Marginalisation in left realism

A

Sate of being excluded from main-stream socio-economic,political and cultural life

127
Q

The impact of marginalisation on left realist

A

Marginalisation heightens the risk of both criminal involvement and victimisation due to societal exclusion

128
Q

The first factor of educational barriers left realism

A

Poor educational achievement limits access to opportunities

129
Q

The second factor of unemployment the left realism

A

Lack of job opportunities contributed to economic exclusion

130
Q

The third factor community disengagement left realism

A

Limited or in involvement in community activities, enhancing feelings of isolation

131
Q

The formation of subcultures in left realist

A

Emerges among the working class as collective responses to relative deprivation and marginalisation

132
Q

The characteristics of subcultures in left realism

A

Subcultures develop unique norms and values that deviate from mainstream society

133
Q

The impact of crime in left realism

A

These subcultures can serve as catalysts for criminal behaviour as members seek to assert identity, gain respect, or achieve material goals outside societal norms

134
Q

Left realist are critical of what (zero tolerance)

A

Zero tolerance measures or of any measures that encourage the police to act in a more hostile or aggressive manner, they believe military policing only leads to Mobilisation of bystanders

135
Q

What does mobilisation of bystanders mean

A

Where innocent bystanders join the subcultures

136
Q

Left realist wants to rebuild what

A

Trust between troubled communities and the police

137
Q

What’s the multi-agency approach in left realist

A

The crime and disorder act 1998 as amended by the police reform act 2002 places a statutory obligation on local authorities and the police to form multi agency partnerships in order to reduce crime and disorder across the local authorities area

138
Q

Neg: neglect of gender issues left realism

A

Significance of gender in crime, especially on crime where women are more often the victims

139
Q

neg: limited focus on white collar crime left realism

A

Paying less attention to corporate  crimes which can have widespread social and economic impacts

140
Q

Neg: doesn’t account for non-offenders left realism

A

This gap suggests that factors other than Socio-economic conditions play a role in preventing crime

141
Q

Pos: comprehensive approach left realism

A

Integrates a range of theories labelling, social inequality and functionalism

142
Q

Pos: crime tackling emphasis left realism

A

Focusing on its root causes such as inequality and social exclusion

143
Q

Pos: community solution left realism

A

Projects like community policing have shown success in building trust and reducing crime through collaborative efforts

Criminology (7 decks)

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