Theories of Crime - Week 7 Flashcards
Emile Durkheim
human behaviour including criminal behaviour is determined by social factors rather than biological or psychological
Durkheim
“Normal”
social phenomenon to be normal it is then both universal and necessary
Durkheim
Necessity
Idea that condition or phenomenon is needed for the continued survival of that particular society
Durkheim
Universality
refers to prevalence of the phenomenon; that is the condition or phenomenon is present in all, or almost all, societies of the same type
Durkheim
Pathological
if condition is not universal or necessary than it is pathological
Durkheim
Functionalism and Crime
Two Basic Theories (1)
1) Notion that deviance is normal and functions to maintain society
Durkheim
Functionalism and Crime
Two Basic Theories (2)
2) Focuses on norm violations as symptomatic of disruptions of natural social order and equilibrium - anomie theory
Durkheim
Two Types of Societies
Mechanical
- 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.
Durkheim
Two Types of Societies
Organic
- 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
Manifest Functions
- 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
Latent Functions
- 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
Crime and social reaction serves five functions for society
- social solidarity
- clarification of moral boundaries
- reward and motivate prosocial behaviour
- provide an avenue for social change
- reduce tension
Talcott Parsons and Social Control
4 types of social control that are used to contain excessive deviance
- socialization
- profit
- persuasion
- coercion
Active Alienation
direct rejection of conformity or an indirect avoidance of responsibility
Passive Alienation
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.
Alienation as the failure of…..
socialization, profit and persuasion
when those fail then the final method of social control is used - coercion
Durkheims Typology of Suicide
Egoistic Suicide
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
Durkheims Typology of Suicide
Altruistic Suicide
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
Durkheims Typology of Suicide
Fatalistic Suicide
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
Durkheims Typology of Suicide
Anomic Suicide
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
Durkheims Typology of Suicide
- 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
