Topic 4 sociological theories of crime Flashcards
what is meant by a theory of social structure
an idea that social factors play a decisive role in crime . society itself influences a person and this creates a criminal
what is functionalism
a sociological theory that believes that society works
society is made up of important factors in order to work e.g. education, family and religion
describe functionalism
(core knowledge)
functionalists argue that crime is inevitable and is integrated into society
in every society not everyone is equally socialised into the shared norms and values
Durkheim called this anomie which is where shared valued become weakened
everyone is socialised in slightly different ways
who made the theory of functionalism
Durkheim
what are the 2 functions that Durkheim said are important to society
(expanded knowledge)
social solidarity and affirming social values
encourages social change
describe social solidarity and affirming social values
(expanded knowledge)
when people break law in severe cases society is seen as the victim
severe crimes help re affirm the existing values of society
role of punishment expresses moral outrage
Describe encourages social change
(expanded knowledge)
deviance helps society evolve
we review and learn from mistakes
all change starts with deviance
something new and challenging to an established system
what is socialisation
instils shared culture into members making sure they pick up same norms
what is marxism approach 1 (core knowledge)
Capitalism causes crime And is a theory by Gordon
Capitalism encourages greed,self presentation and individualism
Exploitation of the working class as they are oppressed and alienated
Working class become frustrated so resort to crime
what are examples of marxism from appraoch 1
people living in poverty start selling drugs to make more money
capitalism creates a divide
what is marxism approach 2 about
law enforcement is dictated by the powerful
what is marxism approach 1 about
capitalism and crime
what is Marxism approach 2 (core knowledge)
most lawyers judges and politicians come from upper class backgrounds
means law will be created based on view of people in upper class
law is made by upper class so working class retaliate and resort to crime
what is marxism approach 2 (expanded knowledge)
Snider (1993) argues that the powerful can prevent laws from being made which threatens their interests e.g. business
upper class forces working class to accept their position by rigorously enforcing law against types of crime the working class usually commit e.g street crime
pushes into a cycle of criminality and imprisonment
what is interactionism about
sociological theory that focuses on the meaning we attach to peoples behaviour e.g. labelling
what is interactionism approach 1 and who made this
Labelling theory
Becker
describe interactionism approach 1 (core knowledge)
labelling is attaching a meaning to someone
looks at how and why some acts are deviant
deviance is not inherited but instead as a result of a social reaction
e.g graffiti illegal drugs
what is interactionism approach 2 and who made this
the deviant career
Lemert
describe interactionism approach 2 (core knowledge)
primary deviance - an initial act of deviance ,most people have committed deviance at some stage and it can lead to secondary deviance
what is secondary deviance - an act that has been labelled as deviant and the person is known as deviant
describe interactionism approach 2 (expanded knowledge)
the way society to something being labelled as deviant may have a dramatic effect on that persons status
labelling people can make it become their master status
may result in identity crisis and fulfilling prophecy where person accepts label and carries out deviant acts
who are the LW
liberals that care about economics, equality and progress
who are the RW
conservatives that believe in big government, hierarchy and authority
describe right realism (core knowledge)
crime is a result of poor socialisation particularly amongst underclass within society
Murray said crime increases due to people being reliant on welfare and failing to socialise children properly
blames lone parent families for poor socialisation
describe right realism( expanded knowledge)
crime occurs when someone believes the benefits of committing crime outweighs the cost
Clarke said committing crime is a choice based on weighing up costs of committing crime with benefits
if a cost outweighs the risk people tend not to offend
e.g. shoplifting and robbery cant resist despite cost
