Theory and Methods Flashcards
What are the key points of Functionalist Theories of Crime?
Crime serves 3 functions for society:
Boundary Maintenance: Reinforces social norms and values.
Adaptation and Change: Promotes social progress by challenging outdated norms.
Safety Valve.
What are the five adaptations to strain in Merton’s Strain Theory?
Conformity: Accepting societal goals and legitimate means.
Innovation: Accepting goals but using illegitimate means (linked to criminal behavior).
Ritualism: Rejecting societal goals but adhering to legitimate means.
Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means (linked to criminal behavior).
Rebellion: Creating new goals and means.
What are the criticisms of Functionalist theories of crime?
Does not specify how much crime is beneficial or when it becomes harmful.
Overlooks white-collar crime.
Assumes crime is primarily a working-class phenomenon.
Criminogenic definition
Criminogenic is defined as something that inherently causes or promotes criminal behavior.
In the context of Marxist theories, it specifically refers to how systems like capitalism create social conditions (e.g., poverty, inequality, and exploitation) that lead to crime.
What is selective law enforcement according to Marxist theories?
1) Laws are enforced disproportionately, focusing on working-class crimes while ignoring white-collar and corporate crimes.
2) The ruling class controls the superstructure (e.g., media, legal system), perpetuating inequality and making crime look like its being committed by the WC.
How do Marxists view laws protecting workers?
1) Health and safety laws are seen as giving capitalism a “caring face.”
2) These laws ensure a healthy workforce to maintain productivity and support the capitalist system.
What are 2 criticisms of Marxist theories of crime regarding class?
1) Overemphasizes class while ignoring other factors like gender and ethnicity.
2) Assumes all laws benefit the ruling class, overlooking laws that genuinely protect the vulnerable.
What is the focus of Right Realism in addressing crime?
1) Emphasizes controlling crime through strict measures like zero-tolerance policing and situational crime prevention (e.g., CCTV, target hardening).
What does Right Realism identify as a key cause of crime?
Poor socialization, particularly in single-parent families, linked to New Right ideas.
What is Rational Choice Theory in Right Realism?
Suggests individuals weigh the costs and benefits before committing crimes.
What does Left Realism identify as the root causes of crime?
Marginalization.
Relative deprivation. (comparing yourself to others and then feeling disadvantaged.)
Subcultures. (groups within society that develop their own norms and values,)
What strategies does Left Realism advocate for preventing crime?
Social and community prevention strategies.
Community policing.
Addressing social inequalities
Criticisms of right and left realism.
Right Realism is criticized for ignoring structural causes of crime and focusing too much on individual responsibility.
Left Realism is seen as unrealistic (idealistic) and difficult to implement on a large scale.
“Idealistic” refers to the belief in or pursuit of noble ideals, often unrealistically so. It describes someone who envisions or strives for perfection or high moral standards, sometimes without regard to practicality.
What do Interactionist theories say about the nature of crime?
Crime is socially constructed, meaning what is considered criminal varies across cultures and time periods.
What is the impact of labeling in Labeling Theory?
Labels (e.g., “criminal”) can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where individuals internalize the label and continue deviant behaviour… leading to deviance amplification.
What is Primary and Secondary Deviance according to Lemert?
Primary Deviance: Initial rule-breaking that does not affect an individual’s self-concept.
Secondary Deviance: Occurs when an individual accepts the deviant label as they’ve been rejected from society, leading to further deviance.
What is the Deviancy Amplification Spiral?
Media exaggeration of deviance can lead to increased deviance.
Often linked to the creation of moral panics even when its not the case (such as crime actually decreasing recently but media makes it seem like its increasing)
What is a criticism of Labeling Theory regarding determinism?
It is seen as deterministic, assuming that everyone who is labeled will adopt a deviant identity.
What is a criticism of Labeling Theory regarding victims?
It neglects the victims of crime and focuses too much on societal reactions.
What is Heidensohn’s argument about patriarchal control and crime?
Women are controlled by patriarchal structures, limiting their opportunities to commit crime.
Control occurs in the home, workplace, and public spaces.
What are Carlen’s “class deal” and “gender deal”? and what happens when these are gone?
Class Deal: Material rewards from work encourage conformity.
Gender Deal: Emotional rewards from family life encourage conformity.
When these deals break down, women may turn to crime.
What is the Liberation Thesis?
As women gain more equality, their crime rates will increase because as they gain more equality, they gain more opportunities to commit crime.
- For example, they may be involved with white collar and commit crimes such as fraud.
What are criticisms of feminist perspectives on crime?
Overemphasize gender while neglecting other factors like class and ethnicity.
Why are working-class individuals more likely to be labeled as criminals?
Due to stereotypes and selective law enforcement.
Why are white-collar and corporate crimes underrepresented in statistics?
They are less likely to be detected, reported, or prosecuted.
What do feminist theories say about gender and crime?
Men commit more crimes than women.
Patriarchal control and societal expectations influence female criminality.
Why are ethnic minorities overrepresented in crime statistics?
Often attributed to racial profiling and institutional racism.
What are the criticisms of Functionalism in explaining crime?
Ignores white-collar crime.
Assumes crime is beneficial without quantifying its impact.
What are the criticisms of Marxist theories of crime?
Overemphasizes class.
Neglects other factors like gender and ethnicity.
What are the criticisms of Right and Left Realism?
Right Realism: Seen as overly punitive. (Punishment). (Harsh penalties or strict enforcement to deter criminal behaviour.)
Left Realism: Criticized for being idealistic.
What are the criticisms of Interactionist theories of crime?
Seen as deterministic because of the labels.
Neglects the victims of crime by focussing more on the offenders and societal reactions to crime rather than addressing the harm done to those who have been affected by criminal acts.
