AC 2.3-sociological theories Flashcards
(9 cards)
what are the 5 sociological theories?
Marxism
Functionalism/Merton strain theory
Left realism
right realism
interactionalists/labelling
what is functionalism (Durkheim?)
-society is a stable structure of shared norms, values and beliefs
-social solidarity-unity, togetherness
-Durkheim=crime is inevitable, not every member of society is committed to the collective sentiments or shared same values
-Durkheim=crime is a key function in society. reinforces shared values. society will see the punishment and will be reminded of what they can and cant do
what is left realism?
-socialist political view. see inequality in capitalist societies as a cause of crime
-disadvantaged groups are victims of crimes–>cops take it more seriously
-relative deprivation=how deprived one feel compared in relation to others
-criminal subcultures=form in order to solve problems of relative deprivation through legitimate means–>feel marginalized
Marginalized groups =unemployment lacks organizations to represent their interests, lads to them feeling excluded and isolated from society.
what is right realism?
-conservative (traditional) view
-crime (street) is a growing problem, tackled through control and punishment rather than rehabilitation
-biological differences:
1)Inadequate socialization of the nuclear family. Murray= increase in welfare and SPF. underclass who fail to socialize their children properly and leads to criminality and gangs due to absence of fathers
2)Rational choice: Weighing risks. crime rates are high as risk of getting caught is low, punishments are lenient after conviction.
what is Marxism?
-A capitalist society encourages wealth, but the unequal structure of a capitalist society shapes peoples behavior
-holds crime as something the bourgeoise use as means of social control against the proletariats
-laws are made to protect the property of the rich. law challenge unequal distribution of wealth but punishes those in poverty
-assumes disadvantaged classes is primary cause of crime
-crime is a result of unfavorable conditions in a community
-selective law enforcements=white collar crimes of rich is less likely to be prosecuted than WC. rich stay wealthy, WC=street crimes.
what is interactionalism/labelling?
-see “crime” & “criminals” as social constructs.
-Becker=Argues there’s no act in criminal/deviant itself, only when labelled as such by others.
-Pilivian & Briar=agents of social control labels groups as criminals. results in differential enforcement, law in enforced against groups more than others
-Lemer=labelling someone as deviant, society encourages them to act this way–>Self fulfilling prophecy
-poeple may treat an offender solely in terms of their label–>becomes a master status (overrides every other status)
What is strain theory? (Merton)
-Merton: crime is caused y the unequal structure of society. society encourages people to aim material success
-society is able to provide legitimate means for all to achieve success. “blocked opportunities”=poverty & inadequate schools carry a “strain” between money & success
-innovation: accepts goal but achieves it through crime (bank robbers)
-ritualism: give up striving for success, just “plodding along”
-retreatism: rejects the goal & means and “drop out” (drug addicts)
-rebellion: rejects goals & means and replaces with new aims to change society (alternative subcultures, hippies)
what are the 4 ways people achieve goals & means according to Merton?
-innovation: accepts goal but achieves it through crime (bank robbers)
-ritualism: give up striving for success, just “plodding along”
-retreatism: rejects the goal & means and “drop out” (drug addicts)
-rebellion: rejects goals & means and replaces with new aims to change society (alternative subcultures, hippies)
What are subcultures?
-a dominant group emerges that doesn’t conform to societies main goals
-Cohen: focusses on nonutilitarian crimes (eg vandalism) thats deviant in the WC, groups respond to “status frustration”
-subcultures offer an “alternate status hierarchy” where respect is earned through deviant behavior
