Ch 11. Conflict Theories of Crime

Question 1

Conflict perspective assumes that societies are more…

Answer 1

…divided by conflict than they are integrated by consensus

Question 2

Conflict theorists question the assumption that laws…

Answer 2

…represent the interests of society as a whole.

Question 3

Cultural rules governing appropriate conduct.

Answer 3

conduct norms
(Sellin)

Question 4

Since complex societies maintain distinct conduct norms, there may be…

Answer 4

…cultural conflict between the conduct norms of different cultural groups. (Sellin)

Question 5

focuses on crime that occurs due to conflict between competing “interest” groups and highlights the political aspect of law making.

Answer 5

Group Conflict Theory
(Georg Vold)

Question 6

Cultural Conflict Theory holds that social values that receive protection of the criminal law are those valued by…

Answer 6

…dominant interest groups.

Question 7

“conduct norms” that are codified into laws that represent the values of the dominant group.

Answer 7

Criminal Norms
(cultural conflict theory)

Question 8

Cultural conflict theory sees crime as a result of…

Answer 8

…conduct norms of one (dominant) cultural group being extended over a group with different conduct norms.

Question 9

1. Crime occurs when there is a conflict between the behaviour of a minority group and the laws of the dominant majority.
2. Crime occurs from conflict between competing interest groups vying for power

Answer 9

Two classes of group conflict that can result in criminal behaviour according to group conflict theory (Vold)

Question 10

Crime is an expression of cultural conflict when individuals who act based on the conduct norms of their own group are in violation of the conduct norms that the dominant group has enacted into law. What theory is this?

Answer 10

Cultural Group Conflict Theory (Sellin)

Question 11

Crime occurs as a result of conflict between diverse interest groups. There are two general classes of group conflict that can result in criminal behaviour.

Answer 11

Interest Group Conflict Theory (Vold)

Question 12

Crime occurs when there is conflict between “segments” of society, which he calls social groupings. The more powerful segments/social groups in society are able to secure and protect their own interests by influencing the formulation, enforcement, and administration of criminal law. Puts more emphasis on unequal distribution of power in society than Selin and Vold.

Answer 12

Quinney’s Group Conflict Theory

Question 13

1. Crime is a product of legal definitions
2. Crime is behaviour that conflicts with the interests of segments that have the power to shape policy
3. Powerful segments also enforce and administer the law
4. People in less powerful segments of society are more likely to have their behaviour criminalized
5. Conceptions of crime are constructed and diffused in the segments of society by various means of communication (the mass media)
6. The social reality of crime is constructed by the formulation and application of criminal definitions

Answer 13

six propositions that make up Quinney’s Group Conflict Theory

Question 14

What are the three conflict theories?

Answer 14

1. Selin’s Culture Group Conflict Theory
2. Vold’s Interest Group Conflict Theory
3. Quinney’s Group Conflict Theory

Question 15

Marxist criminologists view conflict as rooted in the structure of…

Answer 15

…capitalist society

Question 16

assumes the state and legal and political institutions are a direct reflection of the interests of the ruling/capitalist class. The ruling class controls the formation of law, and the focus is on the coercive nature of the law. The state and the legal system are instruments of the capitalist class.

Answer 16

Instrumental Marxism

Question 17

1. American society is based on an advanced capitalist economy.
2. The state is organized to serve the interests of the dominant economic class.
3. Criminal law is an instrument of the state and ruling class for maintaining and perpetuating the existing social and economic order.
4. Crime control in capitalist society is realized through institutions and agencies controlled by political elite, representing ruling class interests.
5. The contradictions of advanced capitalism require that the subordinate classes remain oppressed by whatever means necessary, especially through the legal system.

Answer 17

Quinney’s critical Marxist theory of crime control

Question 18

opposes the instrumental Marxist assumption that the state is the direct servant of the ruling class. Instead, it argues that state institutions function in the long-term interests of capitalism (to reproduce capitalist society). The state and its institutions have a certain degree of independence from specific elites in the capitalist class (relative autonomy). Not all laws are for the ruling class’ interests

Answer 18

Structural Marxism

Question 19

Criminalization of behaviour is often directed at problem populations that arise in capitalist societies. Those who disturb capitalism, capitalist ideologies, and capitalist institutions are deviants and radicals in society

Answer 19

Spitzer’s Marxian Theory of Deviance

Question 20

Greenberg (1993): Juvenile Delinquency
Juveniles as a “class” are excluded from access to income and become surplus population. How does this create delinquency?

Answer 20

because they cannot finance their leisure and social activities. Adolescent theft occurs because of a conflict between the desire to participate in activities and the lack of legitimate sources of funding to finance these activities.

Question 21

Corporate crime has far greater negative…

Answer 21

…impact on society compared to “street crime.”

Question 22

Capitalism and profit maximization create a strong motivation for corporations to…

Answer 22

…commit crimes and enact other socially harmful behaviours.

Question 23

A branch that says we must pay attention to the serious harm generated by street crime, “working-class crime.” emphasize examining relationships between offender, victim, police, and the public. Uses victimization surveys.

Answer 23

Left Realism