Theories of Crime - Week 7

Question 1

Emile Durkheim

Answer 1

human behaviour including criminal behaviour is determined by social factors rather than biological or psychological

Question 2

Durkheim

“Normal”

Answer 2

social phenomenon to be normal it is then both universal and necessary

Question 3

Durkheim

Necessity

Answer 3

Idea that condition or phenomenon is needed for the continued survival of that particular society

Question 4

Durkheim

Universality

Answer 4

refers to prevalence of the phenomenon; that is the condition or phenomenon is present in all, or almost all, societies of the same type

Question 5

Durkheim

Pathological

Answer 5

if condition is not universal or necessary than it is pathological

Question 6

Durkheim
Functionalism and Crime
Two Basic Theories (1)

Answer 6

1) Notion that deviance is normal and functions to maintain society

Question 7

Durkheim
Functionalism and Crime
Two Basic Theories (2)

Answer 7

2) Focuses on norm violations as symptomatic of disruptions of natural social order and equilibrium - anomie theory

Question 8

Durkheim
Two Types of Societies
Mechanical

Answer 8

• members are very much alike, few individual differences between them (high levels of homogeneity)
• members do the same work, fulfil same social roles and have same understanding of right and wrong
• society is not free of crime, Durkheim believes crime is inevitable
• Mechanical societies are by necessity, small and relatively technologically undeveloped.

Question 9

Durkheim
Two Types of Societies
Organic

Answer 9

• diverse, independent society that values contracts and social contract
• may still serve positive functions
• Durkheim concerned about these societies because he saw them as being susceptible to conditions that could cause crime and other social problems to become rampant

Question 10

Manifest Functions

Answer 10

• society intends and that are often formally set out as institutional goals
  example: function of CJS is to punish criminals so that they and other will obey laws
• also intended to protect public from contended criminal activity by incarcerating career criminals and rehabilitating and reintegrating offenders

Question 11

Latent Functions

Answer 11

• differ from manifest functions, these consequences or functions are unintended and almost always informal
  example: correctional system latent function is that by putting many lawbreakers together it serves as training school for criminals who learn new techniques and motivations for crime, and, in turn the “revolving door” of prisons create an enormous number of jobs in crime control and related fields

Question 12

Crime and social reaction serves five functions for society

Answer 12

1. social solidarity
2. clarification of moral boundaries
3. reward and motivate prosocial behaviour
4. provide an avenue for social change
5. reduce tension

Question 13

Talcott Parsons and Social Control

4 types of social control that are used to contain excessive deviance

Answer 13

1. socialization
2. profit
3. persuasion
4. coercion

Question 14

Active Alienation

Answer 14

direct rejection of conformity or an indirect avoidance of responsibility

Question 15

Passive Alienation

Answer 15

involves withdrawal from society, perhaps due to mental illness or substance abuse. Does not require direct rejection of conformity but leaves the individual unable to fulfill their societal roles.

Question 16

Alienation as the failure of…..

Answer 16

socialization, profit and persuasion

when those fail then the final method of social control is used - coercion

Question 17

Durkheims Typology of Suicide

Egoistic Suicide

Answer 17

a. Results from excess of individualistic beliefs in society and too little social integration
b. Individuals who were not sufficiently bound to social groups were left with little social support or guidance and therefore tended to commit suicide on an increased basis
c. Particularly men had less to bind and connect them to stable social norms and goals and committed suicide at higher rates than unmarried people

Question 18

Durkheims Typology of Suicide

Altruistic Suicide

Answer 18

a. Results from lack of individualism and over-identification with a group - result of too much integration and is at the opposite end of the integration scale from egoistic suicide
b. Defining trait of altruistic suicide is self-sacrifice
c. Loosing sight of individuality and become willing to sacrifice themselves for the groups interests, even to point of sacrificing their own life
Most common among military or radical terrorism

Question 19

Durkheims Typology of Suicide

Fatalistic Suicide

Answer 19

a. Results from living in an oppressive social structure in which there is no hope for the individual to improve their circumstances
b. Rare phenomenon
c. Slaves or prisoners but also extreme poverty or under oppressive regimes people

Question 20

Durkheims Typology of Suicide

Anomic Suicide

Answer 20

a. Result from confusion/frustration about society’s norms and expectations and involves imbalance of means and needs
b. Do not have the means available to them to achieve the things they want and need
Connection between anomic suicide and rapid changes in economic conditions

Question 21

Durkheims Typology of Suicide

Answer 21

• suicide is not because depression or mental illness or psychological issue but responding to social pressures and is connected to the way in which the individual is integrated (or not) within the broader social structure