Crime Flashcards
(91 cards)
1
Q
explain ideology and social control (m)
A
- society suits the powerful and makes sure the powerless stay in their place
- “capitalist ideology” is seen as fact, we are brainwashed to believe this
- this is how the bourgeoisie control the proletariat
2
Q
what did ALTHUSSER say on ideology and social control? (m)
A
control is maintained by 2 institutions:
- repressive state apparatus (government, police, social control)
- ideological state apparatuses: controls us subtly, through socialisation of accepting capitalist beliefs (media, education, family)
- ISA’s show us who are deviant and divide and scare us, justifying the use of RSA’s
3
Q
what did BOX say on ideology and social control? (m)
A
- theft and murder shows how crime is socially constructed
- murder is “avoidable killing”, but many of these aren’t seen as murder, they’re seen as less serious
- those who commit “murder” are often poor and less powerful, those who commit avoidable killings are usually rich and powerful
- examples of avoidable killings: workplace health and safety, negligence (e.g. grenfell tower)
4
Q
explain the concept of alienation (m)
A
- alienation describes the sense of powerlessness, lack of control and disconnectedness of the proletariat, felt through the exploit of work and capitalism
- this can drive people to commit crime
5
Q
what did BONGER say about CAC? (m)
A
- there is a link between crime and economic situations
- crime can be caused by poverty, poor living conditions and lack of resources
- capitalism creates competition and resource inequality, promoting greed and leading to materialism, racism and violence
6
Q
what did GORDON say about CAC? (m)
A
- there is lots of focus on violent crime and little on white collar crime despite it’s harm
- in the USA, 9% have committed a crime, and it is seen as normal, a rational response to a situation
- capitalism causes inequality and people committing crime
- e.g. in poor neighbourhoods, there is a lack of jobs, which leads to people committing crimes
7
Q
what did CHAMBLISS say about CAC? (m)
A
- capitalism creates the desire to consume and the inability to gain enough money to meet desires, so people are lured to crime
- crime keeps some proletariats off the streets and in prison instead (incarceration), this reduces unemployment
- some proletariats can be hired to work in the prisons and CJS
- crimes are committed by all classes, but enforcement of the law makes it look like it’s just the lower classes
8
Q
give some evaluations of marxist explanations of crime (m)
A
- not everyone in lower classes with poor economic conditions commit crimes
- too extreme and outdated, they ignore the middle class
- the ruling class can’t all be involved in a deliberate conspiracy to control and criminalise the lower classes
- however, modern marxists say that even if it isn’t deliberate, the powerful operate in ways which will benefit them and disadvantage the powerless
- functionalists: capitalism doesn’t create crime as most people obey laws, showing that society has a value consensus
9
Q
what did LEA AND YOUNG say about links between race and crime? (lr)
A
- they criticise the moral panics which surround black crime, such as the way that the media focus on mugging, and linking to ethnicity in the past
- the media focuses on black people as culprits not victims, causing the public to do so also
10
Q
how do LEA AND YOUNG explain higher crime rates among ethnic minority groups? (lr)
A
- there are injustices in black and asian communities: many are affected by unemployment and deprivation, meaning that in an industrial society they are “brutalised” into crime
- linking to social class explains why those of Chinese/Indian origin have lower crime rates - although they are ethnic minorities, they don’t tend to live in deprivation, showing that social class must be taken into account
- race and class combine to explain these patterns of offending
11
Q
how does PALMER challenge LEA AND YOUNG? (lr)
A
- they place too little emphasis on racial discrimination in the CJS
- young black males face many disadvantages compared to white males, so we cannot assume that they commit crime for the same reasons: we must take race and racism into account
- he studied black people in inner city London and found that the media influenced the aspirations of black youths, as they felt that they were treated unjustly
- he also refers to the lack of discipline within families and being let down, by their community, education and wider society
12
Q
what patterns have been found amongst Asians and crime?
A
- until recently, levels of crime were lower than white people’s: this links to strong family values and not fitting in with police stereotypes
- however, crime amongst young asian males is increasing recently, and this could be due to socio-economic factors
13
Q
what did FITZGERALD AND SUBBIT say about Asians and crime?
A
- the Home Office classifies Asians in one category, yet they may all have different subcultures and cultural backgrounds
- they believe that this has masked different crime patterns within these groups
14
Q
what do BOWLING, PARMAR AND PHILLIPS believe about about Asians and crime?
A
- they believe that asian stereotypes, especially muslims, have altered
- they’re no longer law abiding with strong community values, their youths are now linked to criminal and deviant activity
15
Q
what does ABBAS say about Asians and crime?
A
- the stereotype of the “passive asian” has given way to a society of islamophobia after 9/11
- evidence shows that the stop and search of asians has increased significantly over the years
- current concerns about radicalisation led to claims about the targeting of young muslims by the police and harsher punishments being issued by courts
16
Q
what do neo marxists believe? (nm)
A
- the CCCS produced much neo-marxist analysis, recognising how important class and economic conditions were
- the attitudes of subcultures can be seen as expressions of resistance against capitalist society and class inequality
17
Q
what does TAYLOR, WATSON AND YOUNG’S radical theory of crime say? (nm)
A
- it says that a fully social theory of deviance must consider the structure of a capitalist society and how it operates to benefit the ruling class
- we must also consider the individuals involved, such as offenders and judges, to consider how to interpret behaviour and actions
18
Q
explain TAYLOR, WATSON AND YOUNG’S fully social theory of deviance (nm)
A
- must take the marxist understanding of distinction of power
- must consider 1. circumstances around the choice to commit, 2. meaning of the act to the person, 3. effects caused by society’s reaction, including labelling
- they suggest that a person’s class and feelings of frustration may lead to the desire to resist against the capitalist system
19
Q
what did GILROY say about crime? (nm)
A
- he developed the view of crime as resistance
- he said that ethnic minorities turn to crime to defend themselves in a society that treats them badly
- however, resistance doesn’t need to be a conscious act, but rather a result of anger/frustration that may end up being channelled into frustration and other crime
20
Q
explain CHAMBLISS’ study (nm)
A
“the saints and the roughnecks”
- he looks at the labelling of boys deviant behaviour and how social class impacts this
saints: 8 white upper middle class boys constantly involved in deviant behaviour, yet not arrested during the two year study. - they used their status and good reputation to cheat on tests
roughnecks: 6 lower-class background boys constantly in trouble with the police, even though their rate of deviance was the same - they were seen as typical gang members and followed by the public and police much more
- labelling means that poor “tough” kids will be noticed whether their actions are deviant or not
- those who have a good reputation will be invisible when they act defiantly
21
Q
what did HALL study? (nm)
A
- looked at interactionist ideas of society’s reaction to forms of deviance through social class and economic positions
- looked at “mugging”: a term first used by the British media in 1972. “mugging” isn’t actually a crime, even though the media reported very high statistics
- the term became associated with black males due to stories at the time
- society reacted extremely due to the economic crisis and high unemployment: the ruling class had to use force to control
- racial tensions stirred and competition for jobs was linked to immigration by some politicians
- this, media reporting and police crackdown on mugging created a moral panic and made a public link between race and crime
22
Q
how can we criticise neo-marxism? (nm)
A
- they ignore that the majority of society conform instead of forming subcultures to resist
- other subcultures existed in the middle class (hippies)
- not all those labelled turn to criminal behaviour
- gender biased (especially CCCS)
23
Q
explain right wing crime reduction (rw)
A
- crime can be prevented situationally or environmentally
situational: through target hardening, increasing of security though alarms, encouraging people to be safer
environmental: town planners design areas to prevent crime, with public, semi public and private space. - public areas are the most vulnerable as no one has responsibility for them
- CCTV is growing: there is 1 camera for every 11 people in the UK
24
Q
what did CLARKE say about situational crime prevention? (rw)
A
- theft from phone boxes stopped when aluminium coin boxes were changed to steel
- when steering wheel locks were made compulsory in Germany, theft dramatically reduced
25
what did PAINTER AND FARRINGTON find about environmental crime prevention? (rw)
-crime decreased 45% in experimental areas where street lighting was improved
26
what is the right wing policy on control? (rw)
- they have a zero tolerance policy: agressive policing of minor and anti social crime (e.g. drugs). This means that things such as vandalism should be tackled straight away to show that it isn't tolerated and emphasise shared norms and values
- this theory believes that crime will reduce if social control is increased and a law abiding culture is reinforced
27
what does ZIMRING say about the right wing control theory? (rw)
- this policy is said to have a significant effect on crime rates in the US: homicide rates in NYC declined by 82%
- however, it is difficult to prove whether or not it is down to these factors
28
what did WILSON AND KELLING say about right wing control theory? (rw)
- they said that we must prioritise the police's role in order maintenance, e.g. by increasing foot patrols
- we should focus more on preventing crime then catching criminals, as this will save money and reduce crime
29
what does MURRAY say about right wing control theory? (rw)
his ideas on the welfare state and the family links to the new right
- he argues that the overgenerous welfare system encourages feckless behaviour
- benefits should be cut: if families can't afford kids, they should be adopted
- involving the community in sanctioning reckless behaviour is more effective than tolerating it
30
explain the right wing view on punishment (rw)
- they favour harsh punishment, known as retribution, based on the idea that the punishment must fit the crime
- these harsher regimes are popular in the USA: "3 strikes and you're out" policy
- harsher penalties also led to public shaming, which links to functionalist ideas of "degradation ceremonies" and how they reinforce "collective conscience" and acceptable behaviour boundaries
- on a practical level, imprisoning offenders takes them off the streets, so reoffending will not occur
31
what does MURRAY say about punishment? (rw)
it is a choice that has to be made: if crime rates are to be removed, we must take the prisoner off the streets
32
how can we evaluate right wing policies? (rw)
- they don't address the underlying cause of the crime: changing people is difficult and expensive, which can explain why some policies are abandoned
- crime may not be addressed, just moved somewhere else
- harsh punishments, e.g. death penalties, are challenged as there is little evidence that they work as a deterrent: places which have death penalties have higher crime rates than those that don't
- if someone doesn't think they will get caught, the penalty is irrelevant
33
how does DAVIS criticise right wing policies? (rw)
he says that cities will be segregated and a culture of fear is created, which can lead to negative racial views
34
explain left wing policies on crime prevention (lw)
-they see social structure as the main cause of crime, and focus on issues such as inequality, deprivation and social exclusion
-they want long term prevention, focusing on structural changes to tackle the social causes of crime
examples of these changes: reducing income inequality by raising the minimum wage, raising living standards for poorer families and reducing unemployment through things like apprenticeships
35
explain left wing policies on control (lw)
- they focus on the relationship between the police, CJS and the community
- they talk about multi agency working: co operation between agencies in society (police, social services, media, religion, schools and education) all play a part in improving a persons moral context
- they believe that more communication is needed with families and individuals at risk, allowing early intervention
36
explain what LEA AND YOUNG say about policing (lw)
- the public lacks confidence in the police: military style policing equals less co operation, which leads to more military style policing
- trust and co operation will help the relationships
- the over policing of minor crimes (e.g. delinquency) and underpricing of more serious crimes (e.g. domestic violence, white collar crime) is the problem
37
explain left wing policies on punishment (lw)
- they focus on the rehabilitation approach, which aims to reintegrate the offender back into society, having addressed the causes of offending
- helping the offender address the issues that caused their crime and making them see the damage is the best way to prevent re offending, e.g. through community service
- another way is restorative justice, which relates to the square of crime and looks at the impact of offending on the victim, community and offender
- this encourages them to take responsability
- this RJ varies: for minor offences the victim can have a say in what happens to the offenders, and for extreme offences the victim can be asked if they want to be involved and the offender must listen to them
38
how can we evaluate left wing policies? (lw)
- long term strategies can be challenged as unrealistic and ineffective
- restorative justice can be a problem as it relies on the co operation of all parties, and this doesn't always happen
39
how does MURRAY evaluate left wing policies? (lw)
America attempted these policies in the 60's/70's, but it didn't provide long term effects and couldn't be funded for a long period of time
40
how did MARSHALL evaluate left wing policies? (lw)
the majority of individuals do co operate. and failures to not take part are much lower than failures to pay court fines
41
explain the left wing view on crime (lw)
- they focus on issues of societal power and inequality, and argue that people at the bottom are victims of their circumstances, and that equality should be the goal of society
- the state should intervene to share wealth and ensure that everyone has equal chances: an unequal system creates situations which may lead individuals into deviance, so blame the system not the deviant
- deviance can be a result of desperation, reaction to labelling or resistance against inequality
- the law is not applied equally: crime is defined and enforced by those in power
42
what is MURRAY'S view on crime (rw)
- inadequate socialisation can lead young people from the underclass to develop a dependancy culture and a lack of respect
- over generous welfare payments encourage feckless behaviour
- they see illegitimacy as a greater indicator of criminality than poverty alone: girls without fathers are emotionally damaged, and boys without fathers have poor impulse control
- MURRAY AND HERNSTEIN consider the impact of cognitive ability on criminal behaviour, and they tried to show a link between low IQ and crime
43
explain the right wing view on crime (rw)
- they focus on individual achievement, believing that equality isn't possible and that talented people should be given the incentive to work hard by being rewarded accordingly, they get what they deserve
- the state shouldn't intervene as everyone is responsible for their own actions: when these views are applied to crime, it focuses on the individuals bad choices and poor socialisation, leading to following the wrong norms and values
- right wing thinkers blame the criminal for their actions
- when considering solutions to crime, they focus on tougher penalties and stricter forms of control
44
how can we evaluate MURRAY? (rw)
- IQ evidence is questionnable, as it ignores factors like poverty and how IQ's may influence it
- race and IQ is racist, as ethnic minorities are more likely to be arrested and sentenced more harshly: this is because of racism, not their IQ
45
explain right wing control theory
- this theory asks why people don't commit crimes, saying that those with strong family ties and social bonds have a strong sense of morality and are unlikely to commit crimes
- there are four social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement and belief
46
what are the differences between left and right realists?
left realists: study the impact of society and the inequalities that someone faces
right realists: study the socialisation and norms and values of the offender
47
which sociological theories can be seen as right realist?
functionalism, the new right
48
which sociological theories can be seen as left realist?
marxism and feminism
49
what do left realists believe?
- they accept that white collar and corporate crimes are significant, but they argue that left thinkers exaggerate this type of crime and ignore others
- they focus on the increase of street crime and fear surrounding it: they don't believe that this increase is down to moral panics
50
explain MATTHEWS AND YOUNG's square of crime (lr)
- it's an important reminder that crime arises at an intersection
- any understanding of the role of the offender and the victim must be put with an understanding of the role of public opinion and informal control, which is expressed though media, peers, ect
- the 4th element: role of the state (formal agencies), such as the government, police and the CJS
- the police and CJS clearly intersect, since the public can influence government policy and police practice, and vice versa
51
what is YOUNG's exclusive society? (lr)
- relative deprivation and societal exclusion leads to the breakdown of communities and families and an increase in crime: this leads to fear and scapegoating, which causes more divisions
- this is leading to a less tolerate society, where people react more harshly to those excluded and those who are alienated tend to be blamed for criminal activity, leading to further decisions
52
how can we criticise left realism?
- they're challenged for their lack of evidence on the motives of offenders
- their views are similar to radical criminologists, but left realists focus on practical solutions (which is seen as unrealistic)
53
what does the right realist WILSON talk about? (rr)
- he challenges mainstream criminology, suggesting long term crime trends can be accounted for by 3 factors
1. young males are most likely to commit crime (agressive, short term prospects)
2. changes in benefits, the costs of crime and job availability
3. social and cultural changes in society can influence norms and values, which may effect the extent to which people are tempted towards deviance
- these factors are largely uncontrollable, and poverty isn't the root of crime as many poor people don't commit
- If social order is maintained and police visibly clamp down, there will be less temptation to commit crime and more informal social control: but if there is the impression that no one cares, previously law abiding people may join in with deviant behaviour
54
what do WILSON AND KELLING say about community? (rr)
- community will change its behaviour in the face of low level disorder by staying inside more and not getting involved, meaning that crime will happen more often with no one to challenge it
- this can lead to the development of urban decay and crime flourishing: people move away, and an area has a downwards spiral
- once an area has a criminal culture, there is little point in trying to police it
55
what do WILSON AND HERNNSTEIN talk about? (rr)
- they stated that "wicked people exist"
- there is a biological element to criminal behaviour, and these "criminal traits" will be heightened if they lack proper socialisation
- In a strong nuclear family, criminal trends may be stopped as the right norms and values are taught
- some families (single parent or ones that lack commitment to societal n+v's) don't provide the necessary socialisation
- these ideas are close to the new right and blame criminality on the individual
56
how can we criticise right realism?
-it plays down the causes of offending by focusing on the failures of social control and punishment
57
how does YOUNG criticise right realism?
he argues that deviance and control can't be studied separately as they are part of the same equation
58
what does BECKER argue about deviance? (i)
- deviance is socially constructed and labelling someone can have serious effects on them
- the label can become a master status, and people respond to the person by using this label, meaning that the deviant identity will control them
- the label can become a "self fulfilling prophecy", with people making decisions based on this deviant view
- difficult to escape master status, can feel isolated or judged differently, so may find it difficult to conform to society's rules
- "deviant career" may start if someone joins a deviant subculture/group that may support/justify deviant identities or activities: the person will see themselves as deviant, so DID becomes controlling and affects choices and lifestyle
59
what does PLUMMER say about deviance? (i)
-"deviant career" can be applied to the labelled homosexual
-label becomes master status, they internalise it and start to pursue a "homosexual career"
(could involve joining a homosexual subculture and acting camp)
60
what did BECKER say about behaviour? (i)
- behaviour only becomes deviant when it has been labelled as such
- it's sometimes only when a public accusation is made that behaviour becomes a serious issue
61
what was MALINOWSKI's study on public shaming? (i)
- Trobriand islands in the South Pacific, incest between cousins seen as deviant but was quite common, people turned a blind eye
- however, when a man was publicly accused of this, it caused uproar in the community and he eventually committed suicide due to the shame
62
what did LEMERT say about deviance? (i)
- he said that society's reaction to behaviour is more significant than the behaviour itself
- PRIMARY deviance: acts not publicly labelled as deviant, seen as acceptable. Many people commit these acts but it doesn't impact their self concept
- however, if the deviant behaviour attracts negative social reactions, it will start to affect the individuals self concept
- this leads to SECONDARY deviance: when someone consciously engages in deviant behaviour as an expression of their deviant self concept that they have been given
63
what did MATZA say about deviance? (i)
- he argues that many youths will drift in and out of deviance: they feel a moral obligation to obey the law and pressure to pursue subterranean values (risk-taking, agression and greed)
- when a youth commits a deviant act, they will use techniques of neutralisation to justify the act and stop a deviant identity from initially forming
64
what are the 5 techniques of neutralisation? (i)
1/2/3. denial of responsibility/injury/victim
4. condemnation of the condemners
5. appeal to higher loyalties
65
what did YOUNG say about deviance? (i)
- he looked at drug taking amongst alienated youths, who seeked each other out and smoked marijuana as a solution to their problems
- powerful groups saw them as a threat, so justice was taken through mass media and the CJS
- society's reaction caused more problems: they were given a negative label so much that they were led to accept the public perceptions of them and live up to the label (SFP)
- this can be explained through the process of deviancy amplification
66
explain YOUNG's process of deviancy amplification (i)
stage 1: criminal or deviant act is performed
stage 2: media reports this act
stage 3: media coverage creates a moral panic
stage 4: public outcry makes police crackdown or a change in the law
67
what is anomie?
societal instability caused by the breakdown of standards and values
68
what are the 5 modes of adaption?
1. conformity
2. innovation
3. ritualism
4. retreatism
5. rebellion
69
what are the 5 modes of adaption and what are they used for?
1. conformity
2. innovation
3. ritualism
4. retreatism
5. rebellion
these modes are responses to failure to achieve goals, spoken about in MERTON's strain theory
70
how can we define focal concerns?
focal concerns are concerns relative to a social class, e.g. fighting
71
how can we explain the term "bulimic society"?
a bulimic society is a society in which people are encouraged to achieve, but prevented from society's actualisation
72
how can we explain the term "bulimic society"?
a bulimic society is a culture in which citizens are encouraged and made to feel included by society in the worship of success, money, wealth and status but are excluded from its realisation
73
what do those in power think about the "carnival of crime"?
- tolerate as a necessary safety valve, but constantly try to limit and control transgressive behaviour as it is a threat to social control; so the response of authorities to deviance tends to be an increase in control
- activities that cannot be stamped out by use of law and force sometimes become regulated and "mainstream", so loose their appeal
74
how can "carnival" be explained?
carnival can be explained as a way for people to let off steam, a necessary safety valve
75
what is MERTON's strain theory?
- there are clear goals and clear means to achieve these goals
- crime and deviance occurs when the goals are emphasised more than the acceptable means
76
what does MERTON mean by a strain towards anomie, and how does American culture emphasis this strain?
- if alternative means to achieve become acceptable then anomie will occur: so a strain is when the goal becomes more important than the means
- in American culture, the goal of success and money has become the root of society, and Americans feel pressure to achieve: there is not as much emphasis on legitimate ways to achieve as on the goal itself
77
how can we evaluate MERTON's strain theory?
- he assumes that the goal of financial success is universal, but there are many other goals (e.g. family, love)
- there are many reasons to display deviant behaviour other than financial success
- someone may fall into more than one mode of adaption
78
what does KATZ argue about subcultural theories?
- explanations that focus on characteristics don't take into account the ways people are driven into crime, e.g. what makes a person give into crime? A physical fight could just be a display of toughness, so crime is presented as having selfish motivations
- however, when he discusses crime as an "expression of identity", e.g. being a badass, there are still links to ideas from subcultural theorists, such as MILLER
79
what does KATZ argue about subcultural theories? (cc)
- explanations that focus on characteristics don't take into account the ways people are driven into crime, e.g. what makes a person give into crime? A physical fight could just be a display of toughness, so crime is presented as having selfish motivations
- however, when he discusses crime as an "expression of identity", e.g. being a badass, there are still links to ideas from subcultural theorists, such as MILLER
80
what is LYNG's concept of edgework? (cc)
- in his exploration of risk taking behaviour, he uses the concept of edgework, which refers to exploring the edges that exist along boundaries in cultures and doing activities that push and test these
- it can lead to intense emotions, such as fear and exhilaration, and by mastering these, you can feel a sense of control and accomplishment if you get away with it
- seen as both an escape from the restrictions of modern society and a way of coping in an increasingly complex postmodern society
81
how did YOUNG explain underclass criminality? (cc)
- he believes that working class deviance is about misbehaviour, rebellion and frustration
- we live in a bulimic society, and he discusses the intensity of exclusion felt by the underclass, saying they feel resentment and humiliation
- uses the idea of anomie to describe the feelings that todays society brings
- he sees deviance as both an expression of EXCLUSION and a desire for INCLUSION
82
what do KATZ AND JACKSON-JACOBS argue about crime and deviance? (cc)
- as social mobility happens and large sections of society move away from their origins through educational and career opportunities, those who are left behind in inner cities have to make sense of their failure
- they argue that "gangs are made glorious"
- childhood friendships are turned into matters of pride, with phrases such as homeboy and bredrin becoming a badge of respect
- gangs are a way for those who have failed in society to maintain status and respect
83
how do cultural criminologists view criminal subcultures?
- they view criminal subcultures as a way to express their identity, their resistance of society and the power struggle that they face
- FERNELL doesn't see crime as a rational decision making process, but a result of anger, humiliation, excitement and fear
84
what does DURKHEIM believe about anomie? (f)
-he believes that a small amount of crime and deviance prevents anomie as long as it is punished
-however, if a society allows too much crime/deviance without punishment or if value consensus breaks down, this can lead to a state of anomie, which threatens the stability of the whole society
-anomie happening may lead to an increase in deviant behaviour, such as looting and violence
anomie can occur if: there's a sudden change in government, a disaster which leads to the destruction of order or a major economic upheaval
85
what is social solidarity? (f)
the sense of cohesion felt in society, all members of the society feeling part of the whole
86
how does DURKHEIM believe social solidarity can be promoted? (f)
- certain events bring people together to promote this, such as crime
- shared outrage over a crime will lead to people expressing public temper, which promotes social solidarity as everyone is outraged together
- in society all members share a set of values: collective conscience
- this leads a community to control itself, using sanctions to ensure that anyone who steps out of line knows it's wrong
- may be expressed through shock, outrage or horror after hearing about the events
87
what do functionalists say about boundary maintenance?
- members of any society must learn the boundaries of what is acceptable behaviour
- crime and deviance aid this by showing members where the boundaries of right and wrong are through publicly punishing those who stray beyond the boundaries
- to ensure this is carried out, any deviance must be identified and punished, which involves the agencies of social control
88
explain the study on public shaming and condemnation (f)
- the decline of public punishment happened at the same time as the development of newspapers, which took a similar function
- tv and social media now perform this role
- boundaries and societies reactions change over time, showing how societies progress over time
- example: used to see homosexuality as wrong, but now it is legal and we have gay marriage
89
how does COHEN see deviance as a safety valve? (f)
- deviance can allow an individual to "let off steam" to prevent worse deviance
- studied prostitution: in society the morally acceptable expression of sexuality is constricted to the family to promote the raising of children
- can lead to a conflict for men who have sexual urges they feel the need to satisfy, which can lead to promiscuity and rape
- prostitution provides a safe outlet for these sexual urges in a way that is less threatening to the family
90
how can we evaluate DURKHEIM? (f)
- he doesn't actually explain why individuals commit crime: if we all share a value consensus then why do some people break the law?
- doesn't explain why some people commit deviance more than others and why different people are deviant in different ways
- doesn't consider the negative effects of deviance on individuals (e.g. victims) or issues such as who creates the law and who has the power to dodge it
91
what does DURKHEIM believe about crime? (f)
- he saw crime as a healthy and inevitable part of society
- society will always have deviance, as if not, petty actions could be classed as crimes
- if crime didn't happen then we would have a "society of saints"
- functionalists also believe in value consensus, which is important for society to function effectively and for social order to be maintained (if people don't know these values, then anomie will occur)
