Chapter 1: Theories of crime and deviance (functionalism - Neo-Marxsim) Flashcards Preview

Sociology- Crime and Deviance > Chapter 1: Theories of crime and deviance (functionalism - Neo-Marxsim) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Chapter 1: Theories of crime and deviance (functionalism - Neo-Marxsim) Deck (30)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What are the other 2 functions of crime according to functionalists?

A

Safety values- releases tension

Warning sign

2
Q

What did functionalist DURKHEIM say about crime?

A

It is inevitable in society

Certain amounts of crime and deviance is necessary for society to function.

3
Q

What are the 3 functions of crime according to DURKHEIM?

A

Boundary maintenance- deterrence

Social cohesion- all members feel anger after event

Adaption and change

4
Q

What was the case of Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper?

A

Serial killer murdering 13 women
Attracted to vulnerability of prostitutes

Voice of god sent him to kill prostitutes

Life sentence in prison

5
Q

What were MERTON’s 5 deviant adaptations to Strain?

A
Conformity 
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
6
Q

What did MERTON mean by conformity?

A

Accepting social goals and pursued them through legitimate means

Majority of population

7
Q

What did MERTON mean by innovation?

A

Using crime to fit mainstream society.

Adopted illegitimate means to achieve socially.

8
Q

What did MERTON mean by ritualism?

A

Reject social goals, possibly turn to deviance, not crime

Reject goal of improvement.

9
Q

What did MERTON mean by retreatism?

A

People who have given up, rejecting life.

Commit crime to fund an addiction.

10
Q

What did MERTON mean by rebellion?

A

Reject everything and try to make their own society.

11
Q

What did MERTON say about society?

A

Society was dysfunctional

People would commit crime in order to achieve material success due to strain.

12
Q

What does REINER say about Merton’s theory of crime?

A

Supports Merton’s theory

Explains modern crimes due to the alienation caused by capitalism

(e.g. London Riots and MPs scandal)

13
Q

What are the functionalist subcultural theories based on?

A
Focuses on why young working class commit crime
-juvenile delinquency

Explains deviance in terms of subculture of social group

Explains why juvenile delinquency is often collective in natural

14
Q

Who produced the 3 functionalist subcultural theories?

A

A. Cohen- Status frustration

Cloward and Ohiln

Hirschi- Bond theory

15
Q

What was A. COHEN status frustration?

A

Must be another motivation to crime if no money is involved = status

Failure at school leads to status frustration

Subcultures emerge because groups are denied status in society

16
Q

What did CLOWARD & OHILN say about functionalist subcultural theories?

A

3 delinquent subcultures:

  1. Criminal: criminal careers.
    - Hierarchy providing criminal role models
    - Focus on acquisitive crime (financial rewards)
  2. Conflict
    - People have little opportunity for access to illegitimate structures
  3. Retreatist subcultures
    - Members fail to succeed in both structures
17
Q

What did Marxists see criminals as?

A

Part of the lumpenproletariat

Sub-section of the proletariat not involved in legitimate employment

18
Q

Why did MARX blame capitalism for generating crime?

A

Due to the pressures generated within a capitalist system based on competition.

19
Q

What did Marxist CHAMBLISS say about crime?

A

Greed, self-interest and hostility generated by capitalist system motivated many crimes across all strata

20
Q

What did Marxist GORDON say about crime?

A

Capitalism encourages a ‘dog-eat-dog’ system of ruthless competition

Crime committed by poor is a realistic and rational response to inequality

21
Q

What does Marxists SNIDER argue about law enforcement?

A

Despite huge costs of corporate crime, chances of prosecution against those involved are small.

Rich pay compensation not to go to prison

Capitalist state is reluctant to pass laws that regulate activities of businesses and threaten profitability

22
Q

What do Functionalists believe the law reflects?

A

Reflects collective conscience of a society and hold all to account equally.

23
Q

Crime is a rational reaction to which capitalist traits according to Marxist CHAMBLISS?

A

Greed
Self-interest
Hostility

24
Q

What did Neo-Marxists believe about crime and deviance?

A

W/C are active agents who can commit crime as political response to negative experience of capitalism

Committed as protest

Don’t see W/C as passive victims of capitalism

25
Q

What did Neo-Marxists TAYLOR, WALTON & YOUNG say about crime?

A

Produced fully social theory of deviance

Answered 6 questions to understand crime:

  • How crime links to inequality
  • How offender interpret crime
  • How offenders react to labels
26
Q

What did Neo-Marxists HALL study?

A

Media acts in interest of middle-class

Ideological function of dividing black and white leading to racial tension

Tabloids in 70’s reported mugging as racial crime against white victims

27
Q

What does labelling theory say about subcultural theories?

A

They all neglect role of the police

Police may target and label or stereotype young W/C as criminal

28
Q

What does Marxist SAYER say about crime?

A

Rich largely shape law so that they don’t end up in prison

29
Q

Under what types of strain do the W/C commit crime, according to MERTON?

A

Innovation

Rebellion

30
Q

What Marxist sociologist said society is crimiogenic?

A

Gordon