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Crimonology > Unit 2 - AC2.3 > Flashcards

Unit 2 - AC2.3 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three sociological theories?

A

Structuralism
Interactionism
Realism

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2
Q

What are the three structuralism theories and theorists?

A

Functionalism - Durkheim
-Strain theory - Merton
Marxism - Karl Marx

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3
Q

What is the interactionism theory and theorist?

A

Labelling theory - Becker

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4
Q

What are the two realism theories?

A

Left realism
Right realism

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5
Q

What is the overview of Functionalism?

A

It’s a sociological perspective that views society as a complex system with various interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability and order

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6
Q

What did Durkheim believe about the functionalism theory and how society was affected?

A

Everything in society, all its social institutions like family, religion, media and even crime and deviance serve a function in society and that they help society to function more effectively. However some crime was inevitable and even beneficial to society

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7
Q

From the Functionalist perspective, when does society work best?

A

When everyone follows and agrees to the mainstream norms and values, thus creating order. When we achieve a mutual agreement of what’s right and wrong we achieve value consensus. This will in turn create a collective conscience where our agreement to the social rule increases conformity/control, and will then decrease crime and deviance

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8
Q

How are we taught the social norms and values?

A

We are taught by social institutions such as family and school by a process called socialisation

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9
Q

What is an Anomie?

A

‘A sense of moral confusion that weakens commitment to shared values and rules and makes deviant and/or criminal behaviour more likely’

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10
Q

why did Durkheim believe a little bit of crime was beneficial for society?

A

Too much crime would cause chaos and society would be dysfunctional leading to anomie. However, if there is no crime or deviance, society becomes stagnant and can’t develop

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11
Q

What were the three main functions that Durkheim believed benefited society?

A

Social change
Boundary maintenance
Safety valve

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12
Q

What is social change?

A

Durkheim argues that having some crime can actually lead to social change that will help society to evolve and improve. When individuals or groups challenge existing norms and values, it can lead to a reevaluation of societal rules and the potential for positive change

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13
Q

What is an example of social change?

A

The suffragettes: The women’s rights movement that emerged in the late 19th century, advocating for women’s right to vote
Civil Rights movement: This was a social and political movement in the US that aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans and promote their full and equal participation in American society

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14
Q

What is boundary maintenance?

A

When crime occurs the reaction to crime will serve as a reminder to others that criminal behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Criminal behaviour will often create significant public outrage and demand for a response, which reinforces our collective conscience and our shared norms and values.

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15
Q

What is an example of boundary maintenance?

A

Terrorist attacks: After 9/11 the American public was brought together by their shared outrage and disgust, demanding action

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16
Q

What is safety valve?

A

Functionalists have also argued that committing some crime can be used to relax from the stresses of life which can be beneficial for maintain social order. By allowing some degree of deviance, society can release tension and prevent more serious challenges to existing order

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17
Q

How can functionalism explain criminal behaviour?

A

Functionalism fails to provide the root cause of criminality, and instead simply argue that crime and deviance exist because they are functional and beneficial to our society. A small amount of crime can allow us to evolve, reiterate shared norms and values and even help us relax. Without crime our society wont progress, but with too much crime we will lose control and create anomie

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18
Q

What are three advantages of the functionalism theory?

A

-Support that crime is inevitable - constant and universal
-Supported by a range of example
-One of the first theories to consider how the structure of society can influence crime

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19
Q

What are disadvantages of functionalism?

A

-Over-emphasis the beneficial function
-Lack of empirical and scientific research
-No root cause for criminal behaviour

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20
Q

What does the strain theory focus on?

A

The unequal structures in society and how they cause criminality

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21
Q

What does Merton believe causes criminal behaviour?

A

He states that deviance occurs when individuals find that they can’t achieve the successful goals of society in the normal way. There is a “strain” between the goals and people’s abilities to achieve them. Merton claims that for society to function and for crime to be reduced, society needs to have an equal structure

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22
Q

According to Merton what are the possible 5 strategies a person may develop due to the strain?

A

Conformism
Ritualism
Innovation
Rebellion
Retreatism

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23
Q

What is conformism and is it criminal?

A

Non-criminal: Conformists live according to society’s aims, norms and values in order to achieve goals. They will follow the rules hoping that their conformity will result in success

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24
Q

What is ritualism and is it criminal?

A

Non-criminal: Ritualists accept social norms and values, they will play by the rules but don’t really expect to succeed, so they simply go through the motions and ‘settle ‘where they are

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25
What is innovation and is it criminal?
Criminal: Innovators accept society's aims, norms and values but have no legitimate way of attaining success so they develop illegitimate means of achieving them, in hope of changing society
26
What is rebellion and is it criminal?
Criminal: Rebels will reject the goals and values of society and instead create their own goals and their own methods of achieving them, in the hope of changing society
27
What is retreatism and is it criminal?
Can be criminal: Retreatists will reject the current norms and goals of society and will retreat/escape from the strain caused by the unequal structure
28
How does the strain theory explain criminal behaviour?
Innovators will develop illegitimate ways of achieving their goals - someone whose unemployed may turn to financially motivated crimes like theft Rebels will develop their own rules, meaning they're unlikely to accept or follow the laws of society
29
What are the two supporting examples for the strain theory?
Brixton riots 1981 - rumours of police brutality against a black man resulted in three days of riots where they fought with police, attacked buildings and set fire to cars. Those involved were responding to the strain of unemployment, racial tensions and poor relationships with the police London Riots 2011 - After the killing of Mark Duggan by police, a peaceful protest escalated into 5 nights of riots. The unrest soon spread to over 66 different areas where shops were looted, buildings set alight and stand-offs with police ensued.
30
What are three advantages of the strain theory?
-Belief of social inequality leading to crime is supported by crime statistics -Provides a wide range of strategies that can be applied to a wide range of crimes and criminals -Actually attempts to explain the cause of criminal behaviour
31
What are three disadvantages?
-Can't be used to explain all crimes and criminals -Lacks empirical evidence -Reductionist as it ignore factors relating to nature and nurture
32
What is the focus of the marxism theory?
Marxism looks at society as a whole and tends to ignore individual differences. It's mostly concerned with social class division and focuses on the idea of capitalism
33
What is capitalism?
An economic system where a small group of people ( capitalists or bourgeoisie) own the factories and businesses, while most people (workers or proletariat) work for them.
34
Why does marxism believe that capitalism causes?
It creates inequality and exploitation because the bourgeoisie make money by paying the proletariat less than the value of what they produce
35
What is the idea of class struggle?
That throughout history there's been a constant fight between the rich and the poor for power and resources
35
What are the two reasons that marxists believe crime occurs?
Capitalism is criminogenic Selective law enforcement
36
What is criminogenic and why is capitalism criminogenic?
Marxists believe that capitalism generates crime, this is referred to as being 'criminogenic'. Capitalism as a system creates significant gaps between the rich and the poor. The economic inequality can lead to desperation and a lack of opportunities for those at the bottom of the social ladder
37
What did Bonger argue?
That capitalism breeds the following values: competition, consumerism, individualism, selfishness, greed, envy. This leads to capitalism encouraging individuals to pursue self-interest before everything else, encouraging us to want things we don't need and can't afford, and creating inequalities and poverty. All of which produce crime
38
What is the supporting example for capitalism being criminogenic?
Barclays and Qatar - In 2017, the serious fraud office investigated Barclays after they received £7 billion in emergency funding from two Qatar entities, during a time when they loaned "2.4 billion to the state of Qatar. They were investigated because it's illegal to engage in 'unlawful financial assistance'. In 2017, Barclays were charge with conspiracy to commit fraud and unlawful financial assistance to Qatar. However, by 2018, all charges were dropped
39
What is selective law enforcement?
Snider 1997 says that the state are unwilling to enforce laws against its business interests such as pollution, workers health and safety, or tax avoidance. This means due to their wealth and influence, companies and the powerful may evade punishment or receive relatively lenient penalties in contrast to 'working class crime' which is heavily policed
40
What is the supporting example for selective law enforcement that involved a 'promising young lady'?
Lavina Woodward- A promising medical student at the university of Oxford stabbed her boyfriend with a bread knife while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. After she pled guilty, the judge deferred sentencing so Woodward could attend addiction rehabilitation, and then chose to suspend the prison sentence
41
What was the example of selective law enforcement to do with the covid restrictions?
Covid parties and the party gate scandal - multiple parties were thrown at number 10 downing street during lockdown and only 126 fixed penalty notices of £50 were issued, where as a 19 year old student who threw a party was fined £10,000
42
How does the marxism theory explain criminal behaviour?
Crime and criminality is caused by the socially unequal structure of capitalism. Capitalism is criminogenic, it encourages selfish and greedy values that result in criminal behaviour. Furthermore, capitalism is selective in its law making and enforcement, meaning the crimes of the lower class are prioritised and the upper classes are often ignored
43
What are three advantages of the marxism theory?
-Supported by other theories and real world cases -Wide range of evidence to support the concept of SLE -Provides a possible solution for criminal behaviour
44
What are three disadvantages of the marxism theory?
-Reductionist - Only focuses on the effects of social class inequality -Deterministic -assumes all members of the proletariat will commit crimes such as theft because of the economic inequality -Encourages the adoption of communism which can be considered very problematic and ineffective
45
What does the labelling theory focus on?
Focuses on the process through which individuals and groups are labelled as deviant/criminal (Becker referred to these as 'outsiders') by society, and the subsequent effect of these labels
46
What traditional views does the labelling theory challenge and what does it suggest instead?
The traditional views of deviance, which often assume that certain behaviours are inherently deviant. Instead, it suggests that deviance is a social construct and that the labelling process plays a crucial role in defining and shaping deviant behaviour
47
What does Becker assume about people who commit criminal and deviant behaviour?
That they aren't any different from law-abiding people. He suggests that most people commit deviant and criminal acts but only some are caught and stigmatised for it. Thus deviance isn't the quality of the act but of the societal reaction to the act
48
what does Becker suggest happens when we label a person as criminal or deviant?
That society encourages them to become more so, therefore creating more criminal behaviour. Becker called this deviancy amplification
49
What is the first and second process of the labelling theory?
An act is committed by an individual (primary deviance) and a label is given to the deviant act and the individual (criminal)
50
What is the third process of the labelling theory?
The label becomes their full identity (master status)
51
What is the fourth process of the labelling theory?
The individual starts to live yup to their label (Self-fulfilling prophecy)
52
What is the fifth and sixth process of the labelling theory?
More deviance occurs (deviancy amplification/ secondary deviance) and the label is reinforced
53
What is the seventh process of the labelling theory?
They fully accept the label and turn to criminal pursuits (deviant career)
54
What is the eight process of the labelling theory?
They join other 'outsiders' for support e.g. gangs (deviant subcultures)
55
Hoe does the labelling theory explain criminal behaviour?
This theory argues that a deviant/criminal is simply someone who has been labelled as such, and deviant/criminal behaviour is simply behaviour that people have negatively labelled and stigmatised. Our social reaction to the behaviour is what creates 'criminal behaviour'
56
What are the two supporting examples for the labelling theory?
Mods and Rockers - In May 1964, the two 'rival' groups committed minor acts of public disorder in the town of Clacton. There were small fights and minor criminal damage. However, the media and social reaction to this behaviour created a negative label and lead to deviancy amplification London Riots 2011 - The original protest outside the Tottenham police station, in response to Mark Duggan's death, was mostly peaceful but had small levels of public disorder. The newspaper and social reaction to this event also generated a range of negative labels which led to self-fulfilling prophecies and deviancy amplification
57
What are three advantages of the labelling theory?
-self-fulfilling prophecy and deviancy amplification is well supported by real world examples -helps understand and explain the skewed trends seen in the official crime statistics -practical applications- crime control policies
58
What are three disadvantages of the labelling theory?
-assumes everyone will react to a label in the same way -doesn't actually explain the root of the cause of the original act of deviancy/criminality -reductionist - ignoring the possible structural factors such as economic inequality and discrimination
59
What do all realists believe?
That crime is a real and growing problem that is damaging communities, particularly in urban areas. Theirs is a solution based approach
60
What do right realists believe?
That crime is destroying communities and social cohesion (especially with street crime). They have a very harsh attitude to criminals and believe in tougher punishments and more social control
61
What is the focus for right realists?
Less interested in the cause of crime and more interested in how we can make crime difficult and risky for individuals so they are less likely to commit
62
What is the controversial belief that right realists hold?
That crime is mostly committed by lower working class male juveniles, often black, in inner city areas. Ultimately, they blame criminality on the individual for a lack of self-control
63
According to right realism what are the three main explanations for criminality?
biological factors inadequate socialisation rational choice theory
64
Who put forward the biological factors of right realism?
Wilson and Herrnstein
65
What do the biological factors suggest about right realism?
That crime is caused by a mixture of biological and social factors. Biological differences make some people more predisposed to committing crime than others. For example, certain hormones and personality traits can lead to increased aggression, impulsivity and risk taking
66
What is the main biological factor of crime suggested by right realism?
Low intelligence levels and they believe that people are 'naturally' selfish, individualistic, impulsive, aggressive and greedy so 'naturally' inclined towards criminal behaviour if it can further their interests or if they have little chance of being caught.
67
How does inadequate socialisation explain criminal behaviour?
Effective socialisation reduces the risk of criminality, as it ensures transference of norms, values, and self-control. Children who are socialised inadequately have more risk of becoming offenders.
68
Who put forward the explanation for criminality due to inadequate socialisation and what did they suggest?
Murray 1990 - argues that crime is increasing because of a growing underclass who are failing to socialise their children properly. Murray sees this underclass as 'work shy' and lacking moral values, especially commitment to marriage and family life.
69
Who suggested the rational choice theory and what did they suggest?
Clarke 1980 - argues the decision to commit crime is due to a choice based on a rational calculation of the consequences. Criminals are therefore rational thinkers, and if they perceive the rewards to outweigh the costs, then someone may turn to crime
70
According to the rational choice theory what do right realists believe is happening in society at the moment?
That the perceived costs of crime are low, so the crime rate has increased. Criminals foresee little risk of being caught and they view punishment as weak and ineffective. Therefore, to reduce crime Right Realists believe that we should increase the punishments, for example having a greater use of prisons and longer sentences
71
What are the 4 right realism solutions to crime?
-situational crime prevention -environmental crime prevention -target hardening -zero tolerance policies
72
What is situational crime prevention?
Involves protecting specific targets from potential criminals e.g. putting CCTV in a shop
73
What is environmental crime prevention?
Focuses on making neighbourhoods more crime-resistant e.g. putting more police on the streets
74
What is target hardening?
Right realists advocate the greater use of prisons and making sure punishments follow as soon as possible after the act to maximise their deterrent effect
75
What is zero tolerance policies?
Right realists do not tolerate crime and instead punish criminals harshly e.g. knife crime
76
What is the supporting example for the right realism theory?
London riots 2011 - After the killing of unarmed man Mark Duggan by armed police, a peaceful protest escalated into 5 nights of riots that started in London and spread around the country resulting in significant property damage, looting and civil unrest
77
What happened after the London Riots in terms of punishments? Give some examples of the punishments:
25% were given harsher punishments than people convicted of similar offences. There was a 70%nrate of imprisonment for offenders compared with a 'normal' rate of just 2% in magistrates courts -One man was sentenced to 6 months in prison for stealing a £3.50 case of water -Two men were sentenced to 4 years each for using Facebook to incite a riot that never took place
78
What are three advantages for the right realism theory?
-practical approaches -suggested solutions have already been attempted and have been found to have some success -not completely reductionist
79
What are three disadvantages for the right realism theory?
-Cant be used to explain all criminals -rational choice theory cant be applied to all crimes -the right realism key principles are unethical, discriminatory and even racist
80
How do left realists see society?
Divided by inequality due to capitalism. However, they believe in gradual change rather than violent overthrow of capitalism
81
How do left realists examine crime and what is their focus?
They examine crime on an individual level i.e.. why has that specific person turned to crime? It's 'eft-wing' because it focuses on the structural inequalities of class, race and gender, and how these can lead to criminality
82
From the left realists point of view how do we reduce crime?
Making society fairer and more equal
83
What are the three main explanations of how left realism explains criminal behaviour?
Relative deprivation Margilisation Subcultures
84
What two left realists argued relative deprivation?
Lea and Young
85
What is relative deprivation?
Argues that crime has its roots in deprivation e.g. poverty, but deprivation itself isn't directly responsible for crime. Instead they used the concept of relative deprivation which refers to hoe someone feels in comparison to others
86
Why do more people today commit criminal behaviour according to left realism theory?
Although people are better off today, they have a greater feeling of relative deprivation because the media and advertising have raised everyone's expectations for material possessions. We are generally wealthier, but we feel poorer
87
What is marganalisation as an explanation of criminal behaviour according to the left realism theory?
Refers to when people or groups lack the power and resources needed to fully participate in society. According to left realists certain groups, such as unemployed youth and ethnic minority groups, find themselves economically and politically marganalised, putting them on the edge of society
88
Why do people who are marganalised more likely to commit criminal behaviour according to the left realist theory?
These groups may then feel powerless as they aren't listened to and have no influence or voice in society, which results in feelings of resentment and frustration. As a result, they may begin to express their frustration by turning to violence and other criminal activities
89
What are subcultures according to the left realist theory?
As a consequence of relative deprivation and marginalisation, some working class and minority groups may seek a collective response and form deviant sub-cultural groups
90
Why are subcultures believed to be formed?
As a result of status frustration where individuals feel a sense of worthlessness and unable to achieve their desired goals due to social inequality. The subculture is then used to give them a sense of belonging and often provide illegitimate and deviant methods of achieving their aspirations
91
What are the two broad approaches to the solutions of crime and their meaning according to the left realism theory?
Intervention - identifying groups at risk of committing crime and taking action to limit offending Community based approaches - involving the local community in combating crime
92
What are the four specific solutions to crime according to the left realism theory?
-Early intervention -Community based approaches to reducing crime -Improving policing -Reducing social and economic inequality
93
What is the early intervention as a solution for crime according to the left realism theory?
One of the best-known intervention programmes aimed at reducing criminality is the Perry preschool project for disadvantaged black children which took place in Michigan, USA
94
What is the community based approaches to reducing crime as a solution for crime according to the left realism theory?
Young and Matthews 1992 - argue that improving leisure facilities for the young, reducing income inequalities, improving housing estates, raising the living standards of poorer families, reducing unemployment and creating jobs with prospects, will all help to cut crime
95
What is the improving policing as a solution for crime according to the left realism theory?
They argue that over 90% of crimes are cleared up by the police as a result of information from the public, however research suggests that public confidence in the police has declined
96
What is the reducing social and economic inequality as a solution for crime according to the left realism theory?
If we can gradually reduce the severity of social inequality then we can reduce the level of relative deprivation and marginalisation. This in turn should reduce criminality
97
What is the supporting example for the left realism theory?
London 'postcode' gangs - 'postcode' gangs lay claim to a specific territory/area and will have violent rivalries with other postcode areas. This creates a severe conflict known as 'postcode war', where rival gang members are often targeted for violent attacks and even killed
98
Why do people join 'postcode' gangs according to the left realism theory?
The vast majority are from groups that are frequently marganalised such as ethnic minority groups and the lower classes. The gang that becomes a way to achieve a sense of belonging and gain a level of power
99
What are three advantages of the left realism theory?
-lots of support for the 3 core explanations of crime -practical applications -emphasises the concept of relative deprivation and considers more factors than just absolute poverty
100
What are three disadvantages of the left realism theory?
-can't use it to explain all crime and criminals -deterministic - makes assumptions -some critics have questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of he solutions proposed by left realism

Crimonology (11 decks)

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