Topic 4 Flashcards
Sociological theories of crime
What’s the ck of functionalism theories by Durkheim?
He argued that crime is inevitable and necessary for social life. This is because we are socialised in different ways, so we don’t share the same values. Crime reminds everyone of the correct way to behave.
What’s the ek of functionalism theories by Durkheim?
Solidarity & affirming social values:
When people break the law, they can be seen as victims. With severe crimes reaffirming existing values of society.
Punishments heal wounds and create a collective sentiment.
e.g. Manchester Bombing 2017
Encourages social change:
Deviance helps society evolve, because all change starts with deviance, smt new and challenging to an established system.
e.g. Rosa Parks
Interactionalist theory of crime
They believe crime is socially constructed
Labelling is used to discuss crime and deviance.
What is Becker’s labelling theory? - Interactionalsim
Labeling is attaching meaning to someone.
Becker looked at how certain acts were defined as deviant. No act is inherently criminal; a criminal label is given by others.
e.g. injecting yourself with a drug is deviant, but when given by a docter, it is acceptable.
What is Lemert’s deviant career? - Interactionalism
-Expanded on Becker’s work and developed primary and secondary deviance.
Primary deviance: initial act of deviance.
-Most of us have committed one of these at some stage, but without labeling lives go undisturbed-if labeled as deviant could turn into secondary deviance.
Secondary deviance: An act that has been labelled as deviant and the person known as deviant.
-Can lead to deviant career
It’s not the act itself but society’s reactions that cause this.
Interactionalist theory of crime ek for Lemert and Becker
The way society reacts to someone labeled as deviant may have a dramatic effect on that person’s status and identity, which may lead to further deviant acts, they fell excluded, which creates a master status.
they then go thorough a crisis of identity=result in self-fulfilling prophecy where the person accepts the labels and carries out other deviant acts.
What is the ck of Marxist’s approach to crime - capitalism&crime
The underlying features of capitalisation are private ownership and competition.
Capitalism encourages individualism, self-preservation and greed which can lead to crimes like theft or robbery.
What is the ek of Marxist’s approach to crime - capitalism&crime
Marxists exploit the working class, they experience oppression, poverty and alienation leading to frustration/desperation =crime.
There is also motivation and desire that lead to crime because the working class see what they do not have so are tempted to crime.
This is similar to the middle and upper class as they want more so commit crime.
What is the ck of Marxist approach to crime - Law & Enforcement is determined by the powerful
the ruling class controls the means of production in society and influences other institutions like government, state, media and religion. They create laws and control the c.j.s.
What is the ek of Marxist approach to crime - Law & Enforcement is determined by the powerful
Snider (1993) argues the powerful can prevent laws from being made, they do not just decide laws but also have a significant influence on how they are enforced. The ruling class forces the working class to accept their position by enforcing the law against the types of crime they typically commit e.g. street crime =pushes them to cycle of crime and imprisonment.
What is the ck of right realism?
poor socialisation of the underclass: criminality is a result of poor socialisation ( not learning what is socially acceptable) there criminality is due to a lack of social boundaries/control.
Murry blames poor socialisation, especially among single mothers for increase in crime.
e.g. low job prospects, reliant on welfare combined with poor socilasation lead to offences like drug use and dealing.
What is the ek of right realism?
Rational choice: Crime occurs when individuals believe there are benefits of committing crime that outweigh the costs. Ron Clarke states committing a crime is a choice weighed up against the benefits. If rewards outweigh costs people do not offend. Poor socialisation it lead to the inability to rationalise =criminality.
e.g. Shoplifting/robbery
What is the ck of left realism?
Marginalisation: Those who feel marginalised commit crimes out of resentment and frustration. Those young, underqualified growing up in poverty are most likely to be marginalised. Same with ethnic minorities who are resented.
Having no organisation to represent them or their goals there are no means to change life =resentment and frustration and they express this through frustration like rioting.
e.g. London riot 2011 - controversial shotting of police officer of Mark Dougan.
What is the ek of left realism?
Relative deprivation =feeling deprived in composing to others: Those who live in it are more likely to commit a crime, they feel discontent when they see what others have; people resort to crime to get it. Effects w/c causes anti-social behaviour towards society. Committing crime like theft/robbery
Evaluation of Functionalist theories - Durkheim?
Weakness:
- Offers no guidance as to what the right amount of crime is
Big problem:
- A Society with too much crime would be chaotic; crime is not functional for society.
Evaluation of Marxist theories
Strengths:
- Explains the relationship between capitalist society and the cause
- Draw attention to the need for welfare provision for the poorest in society.
Weaknesses:
- Ignores ethnicity and gender when explaining crimes; only cares for class.
-Too deterministic, overestimates capitalism crime potential as not all poor people commit crime.
Evaluation of interactionalist theories
Strengths:
- Drawn attention to the importance of labelling and societal reaction.
-Shows certain people are excluded due to labelling.
Weakness:
- Deterministic, if you are labeled, you will be deviant.
- Ignores the fact some just choose to be deviant.
Evaluation of Right realism?
Strength:
- It’s realistic, makes real change
Weakness:
- Ignores the structural cause of poverty
- Focuses on young males and street crime; not white coprate crime
Evaluation of Left realism?
Strength:
- It’s realistic, makes a real change
Weakness:
- Overpredicts crime as most experience relative deprivation and individualism.
- Focuses on street crime which neglect white collar crime
