AC2.3: Sociological theories of criminality Flashcards
(26 cards)
What do sociological theories of criminology believe?
They believe that society influences an individual to become criminal.
What is the social structure of crime?
This theory assumes that a disadvantaged social class is the primary cause of crime and that criminal behaviour begins in youth. Crime is largely a result of unfavourable conditions in a community.
What is meant by capitalism?
The social system in which the means for producing goods are controlled by a small minority of people for profit.
What is a Marxist?
Someone who supports the political and economic theories of Karl Marx. They believe that capitalism is unequal and undemocratic being based on the exploitation of the working class by the bourgeoisie.
How do Marxists see crime?
They see crime as inevitable in a capitalist society and is used by the ruling class(bourgeoisie) as a means of social control.
How do Marxists think the bourgeoisie are treated when committing crimes in comparison to the working classes?
They argue that white-collar crimes that are usually committed by the upper classes are ignored, while crimes committed by the lower classes in society such as burglary are seen as more serious. They also believe that the working class are more heavily policed leading to an increase in crimes being detected.
What is the functionalist approach to criminality?
Functionalists, such as Émile Durkheim, suggests that crime is inevitable as not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments or values and beliefs.
What is Merton’s strain theory?
Merton argues that society encourages us to subscribe to goals of material success, but society is unable to provide the legitimate means for us all to achieve success. He believes that working class people are more likely to be denied the material benefits of the upper classes. Their opportunities are blocked because of this they experience feelings of strain and anomie where they strive for success.
What did Merton say would happen if they did not reach their goals?
They can either:
. Conform and accept the situation
. Innovate by adopting non-conventional or criminal ways to gain material success
. Become ritualistic, where the sight of goals is lost
. Become retreatists and drop out of conventional society
. Become rebels, who set alternative goals and values
What is meant by anomie?
The loss of shared principles or norms
What is meant by ritualistic?
Performing in the same way
What is meant by retreatist?
Rejection of society’s prescribed goals and the conventional means of attaining them.
What is interactionalism?
Interactionalism refers to how people in society interact with eachother.
What is Becker’s theory?
Becker used labelling theory to explain criminality. They argue that official statistics on crime are socially constructed and they believe that crime is also a social construction. Backer argues that crime is a subjective construction; agents of social control, such as the police and judges, label certain acts and behaviour as deviant or criminal.
What did Lemert say about deviance?
Primary deviance, which is an act of deviance that has not been socially labelled as deviant; and secondary deviance, which is an act that has been labelled as deviant.
What is the labelling theory?
Once a particular act/behaviour has been labelled as deviant, the deviant person starts to view themselves as deviant. This becomes their ‘master status’ and can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, which means that they start to internalize the label and begin acting in a way that mirrors the label.
What is Right Realism?
Right realism considers crime from the perspective of political conservatism, with the standpoint of getting tough on crime.
What does Charles Murray state?
Murray states how everyone is tempted to commit crime but it is the amount of social bonds that often prevent us from
What do Right realists question?
The view that economic factors, such as poverty or unemployment, are the reasons behind rising crime rates. Instead, it was believed that individuals are more likely to commit crimes when the social constraints on their behaviour are weakened. Meaning that crime is linked to inadequate social control
How do the media contribute to the labelling theory?
They may ‘demonise’ people who have been socially labelled as deviant, creating moral panic in society and in turn making those labelled as deviant appear as folk devil’s, marginalising and alienating them further. This process is referred to as deviancy amplification, as it amplifies the situation, making it more difficult for the deviant person to change public opinion towards them. This can often lead to stereotyping.
What are folk devil’s?
A person of bad influence on society.
What is deviancy amplification
A process often performed by the media, in which the extent and seriousness of deviant behaviour is exaggerated, creating a greater awareness and interest in deviance.
What is stereotyping?
A widely held but fixed, over enlarged image or idea of a type of person.
What is left realism?
Suggests that crime lies in the inequalities created by a capitalist society. Left realist believe that both practical measures to reduce crime and a long-term change towards a more equal, caring society are needed. Capitalism encourages levels of consumption but is unable to deliver to all. So some people are motivated by consumerism and materialism and turn to crime to make up the shortfall.
