Theoretical approaches Flashcards
What is the Functionalist perspective on crime?
Functionalists, such as Durkheim, argue that societies can only exist if they have a value consensus (shared set of beliefs) that forms moral ties binding communities together in what he called a collective conscience.
The collective conscience regulates the behaviour of individuals and laws are an expression of this collective conscience.
Those who break the law are breaking the collective conscience and should therefore face retribution (punishment).
retribution has the following roles:
-provides outlet for public anger and express disapproval
-reassert boundaries and social order
-contribute to building social solidarity
- reinforces social regulation and control
Evaluate Durkheim’s perspective on crime
assumes law reflects value consensus
ignores inequalities in wealth and power
punishments like imprisonment may not assist is reestablishing social order (prisons may manufacture crime)
What is the Marxist view on crime?
laws are not an expression of collective values, rather of ruling class ideology.
Punishment is part of what Althusser (1971) called a repressive state apparatus - parts of the state concerned with repressive , physical means of keeping population in line (through police, courts and prisons)
Rusche and Kircheimer- law and punishment act as mechanisms of social control, reinforcing ruling class power in unequal societies. The unequal distribution of power in society is reflected in the unequal distribution of punishment. Punishments handed down by CJS are overwhelmingly and systematically against the most disadvantaged in society- these people end up most severely punished.
Newburn- ‘ it is rare for the wealthy , powerful and influential to find themselves the focus of prosecution and punishment.’
way CJS and media focus on working class crime diverts attention from crimes of powerful
What did Weber say about crime? (Weberian approach)
argues modern societies have undergone a process of rationalisation - meaning now only the state has the power to punish offenders
there has been a rationalisation of the punishment of offenders- based on what Weber called legal-rational authority. This means punishment is based on impersonal rules and regulations, administered by complex processes by officials. (rather than often brutal treatment handed out by the sovereign power)
in democratic societies, rules and regulations governing punishment are based on legislation decided by elected governments- this gives them more claim to being legitimate.
Evaluate the Weberian approach.
- issues surrounding the extent to which the rules and regulations are really fair , and the extent to which the officials follow these rules
- many miscarriages of justice, judges are seen to sometimes discriminate unfairly against some groups.
- individual law enforcement officers have considerable discretion in interpreting rules (as Marxists and labelling theorists suggest)
name some Left Realist policies for preventing crime.
building community cohesion
multi agency working
community policing
improving community facilities
intensive parenting support and early years childcare
greater school funding (breakfast/ afterschool clubs)
What did left realist Young argue caused crime?
Young argue crime was as a result of many factors interacting, known as multiple aetiology
relative deprivation, marginalisation , subcultures
he argued no single factor caused crime, it is a mixture of informal and formal social controls , structural inequalities and the agency of the offender.
Explain the rational choice theory within Right Realism.
Cornish and Clarke (1986) developed the rational choice and opportunity theories, with a focus on the decision-making process of the potential offender.
Argue that when offenders see an opportunity for crime , they act rationally and weigh u the costs and benefits before choosing whether to offend.
To deter offenders, it is important to reduce opportunities for crime and increase the cost/risk of offending.
Explain the ‘broken windows’ thesis and environmental crime prevention within right realism.
Wilson and Kelling (1982) developed the ‘broken windows’ thesis. This is the idea that if a broken window (a sign of social disorder) , is not repaired, then others are likely to be broken and further neglect will follow.
Wilson (1985) suggests that unless ‘incivilities’ are kept to a minimum, there will be a gradual deterioration of neighbourhoods and growing antisocial behaviour.
Wilson suggested that to prevent such a deterioration of social cohesion and the community , it was important to keep environments in good physical condition, and the police should have a zero tolerance policy, cracking down on anti social and criminal behaviour which threated social order.
Explain the routine activity theory as past of Right Realism
Felson and Clarke (1988)
Suggests crime occurs as part of everyday routines , where three conditions are present.
These three conditions are:
-suitable target
- no ‘capable guardian’ (neighborhood watch/ CCTV)
- potential offender present, who thinks first two conditions are met.
The ‘broken windows’ thesis , routine activity theory and rational choice/opportunity theory led right realists to adopt two main approaches to crime prevention - what are these?
situational crime prevention and increased social control
What is situational crime prevention?
Clarke (1992) - SCP is concerned with preventing crime in particular locations rather than catching offenders, and aims to make crime a less attractive choice for offenders , rather than eliminating criminal behaviour though punishment or improvement of society.
This is achieved by ‘designing out crime’ and ‘target hardening’ measures , described by Pease (2002) as ‘bars, bolts and barriers’. (anticlimb paint , alarms, CCTV and locks)
Other examples include ‘hostile architecture’ - e.g sloping benches so homeless people can’t sleep on them.
Such measures aim to reduce opportunities for crime and disorder in particular locations by making possible target ore difficult and risky for offenders.
Cornish and Clarke (2003) suggest this could be further reinforced by putting up notices warning people of surveillance and rules operating in an area, which would remove excuses and encourage people to regulate their behaviour (e.g Dispersal Orders)
criticisms of situational crime prevention
- removes focus from other forms of crime prevention , such as looking at wider economic and social policies that cause crime.
-doesn’t pay sufficient attention to catching criminals or punishments to deter offenders.
- Crawford and Evans (2012) - situational crime prevention in unequal societies can enhance inequalities , meaning the poor become more vulnerable and the affluent become more immune.
-displacement theory suggests SCP does not prevent crime overall , just displaces it to other areas as offenders are diverted somewhere else.
what is meant by increased social control as a right realist crime prevention strategy?
This is linked to Hirschi’s control theory - the idea that individuals are encouraged to choose conformity over crime , where there are strong social bonds integrating communities.
This strategy focuses on tighter family and community controls and socialisation in order to promote conformity. It suggests it is possible to predict crime, with those from ‘at risk’ backgrounds being the most likely.
Policies linked to this include:
making parents take responsibility and socialising children into conformist behaviour. May issue Parenting Orders to those who don’t.
Schemes like Neighbourhood watch build community controls through informal surveillance
criticisms of right realist crime prevention
- zero tolerance strategies and strong police presence in areas with high social disorder may waste time or overemphasise trivial offences > creates more issues as person now has criminal record so employment difficult.
-ignores white collar and cooperate crime
- doesn’t address wider causes of crime in the same way left realists do
- assumes offenders act rationally when choosing whether to commit crime , however not all crimes (e.g vandalism) appear to have obvious gain.
-The idea of edgework and the seductiveness of crime (Lyng and Katz) are not addressed by rational choice and opportunity theories.