Crime - Social Class

Question 1

What is the relationship between social class and crime according to official statistics?

Answer 1

There is a clear relationship indicating that the working class are more represented in crime statistics than the middle class.

This suggests that working-class individuals are perceived as more criminal, although middle-class crimes may go unrecorded.

Question 2

What types of crimes do the working class tend to commit?

Answer 2

The working class tend to commit:
* Street crimes
* Property crimes (e.g. burglary, arson, shoplifting, vandalism)
* Violent crimes (e.g. assault, robbery)

These crimes are more visible, leading to higher rates of arrest and charges.

Question 3

According to the text, why are working-class crimes more likely to be recorded?

Answer 3

Working-class crimes are more visible, leading to more arrests and charges by the police and courts.

The police often criminalize the working class, assuming their involvement in crime.

Question 4

What does Merton’s strain theory suggest about working-class crime?

Answer 4

Merton’s strain theory suggests that working-class individuals experience ‘strain to anomie’ due to their inability to achieve societal goals legitimately, leading them to innovate through crime.

This includes turning to drug dealing and robbery to achieve money and success.

Question 5

What is status frustration according to Cohen’s theory?

Answer 5

Status frustration is the feeling of annoyance experienced by young working-class males due to their inability to achieve societal goals legitimately.

This frustration can lead to the formation of deviant subcultures.

Question 6

What do deviant subcultures provide for young working-class males?

Answer 6

Deviant subcultures provide respect and status among peers by achieving the group’s deviant values.

For example, gangs use mopeds to commit thefts, which increases their reputation within the gang.

Question 7

What are Miller’s ‘focal concerns’ in working-class subcultures?

Answer 7

Miller’s ‘focal concerns’ include:
* Toughness
* Excitement

These values drive criminal and deviant acts as individuals attempt to demonstrate them.

Question 8

How might young working-class individuals demonstrate toughness, according to Miller?

Answer 8

They might demonstrate toughness by getting involved in street fights.

This reflects their value placed on toughness within their subculture.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The working class is over-represented in official crime statistics, suggesting they are more ______ than the middle class.

Answer 9

criminal.

This perception may be influenced by the visibility of their crimes.

Question 10

True or False: The middle class does not commit crimes.

Answer 10

False.

The middle class commits crimes, but these are less likely to be recorded.

Question 11

What type of activities might indicate excitement in the working-class subculture?

Answer 11

Activities such as stealing tractors and smashing them into cash machines.

This demonstrates the pursuit of excitement as a focal concern.

Question 12

What do Traditional Marxists argue about capitalism?

Answer 12

Capitalism is criminogenic; capitalist values make crime inevitable.

Question 13

What is a ‘culture of envy’ according to Traditional Marxism?

Answer 13

The working class develops a desire for consumer goods that the higher classes have.

Question 14

Why do many in the working class commit utilitarian crimes?

Answer 14

Due to low wages, they resort to crimes like shoplifting and burglary to obtain consumer goods.

Question 15

How do Left Realists view working class crime?

Answer 15

As an act of resistance to Capitalism and a means of expressing frustration.

Question 16

What is alienation in the context of Left Realism?

Answer 16

The feeling that workers will never own the products they make.

Question 17

What factors force the working class into committing utilitarian crimes?

Answer 17

• Unemployment
• Zero hours contracts
• Minimum wage work

Question 18

What do feelings of relative deprivation lead to among the working class?

Answer 18

Higher crime rates as they feel economically excluded.

Question 19

What has led to cultural inclusion in society, according to Left Realists?

Answer 19

A media-saturated society where the working class desires the same material goods as others.

Question 20

What does Right Realism attribute to the growing underclass?

Answer 20

Welfare dependency and failure to properly socialize children.

Question 21

What fatalistic attitude do children in welfare-dependent families develop?

Answer 21

They believe they cannot change their situation and thus do not try in school.

Question 22

According to Murray, what is a consequence of boys raised by single mothers?

Answer 22

They lack male role models and may turn to criminal role models.

Question 23

How do boys in gangs achieve money and status?

Answer 23

By committing criminal acts rather than through legitimate jobs.

Question 24

What is the likely aspiration of boys raised by single mothers?

Answer 24

They are unlikely to aspire to instrumental roles and may turn to crime.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Traditional Marxists see crime as a _______ response to social inequality and poverty.

Answer 25

[rational]

Question 26

True or False: Right Realists believe that single parent families properly socialize their children.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What type of crimes are typically committed by the middle class?

Answer 27

Invisible crimes, such as white-collar crime and corporate crime ## Footnote These crimes often occur behind closed doors and are less likely to be detected and prosecuted.

Question 28

Define white-collar crime.

Answer 28

Offences committed by middle class individuals who abuse their work positions for personal gain ## Footnote This type of crime often involves financial fraud and corporate misconduct.

Question 29

What is embezzlement?

Answer 29

Financial fraud where perpetrators steal someone else's money by transferring it into their own bank account ## Footnote An example includes a lawyer embezzling funds from client trust accounts.

Question 30

What is insider trading?

Answer 30

The illegal practice of trading on the stock exchange to one's advantage through access to confidential information ## Footnote An example is an investment banker passing inside information to a day-trader.

Question 31

What does fiddling expenses mean?

Answer 31

Employees dishonestly alter financial documents to get more money for themselves ## Footnote Examples include claiming more mileage than traveled or asking for blank receipts.

Question 32

Why are prosecution rates for middle class crimes low?

Answer 32

Because they are hard to detect, dealt with internally by companies, lack of awareness of crime, and no individual victim to report the offence ## Footnote Companies often fear bad publicity and handle offences internally.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: White-collar crimes are often committed in _______.

Answer 33

secret, behind closed doors, in offices on computers

Question 34

True or False: Most white-collar crimes are reported to the police.

Answer 34

False ## Footnote Companies often deal with crimes internally to avoid bad publicity.

Question 35

What is a common reason victims may not report white-collar crimes?

Answer 35

Lack of awareness that a crime has been committed ## Footnote For instance, small amounts taken from many accounts may go unnoticed.

Question 36

Give an example of how a doctor might commit white-collar crime.

Answer 36

By falsifying prescriptions and patient records to claim thousands of pounds ## Footnote This is a form of fraud that exploits the healthcare system.

Question 37

What is a characteristic feature of middle class crimes?

Answer 37

They appear to be normal job activities, making them difficult to detect ## Footnote For example, a financial advisor may embezzle funds while performing regular duties.

Question 38

What are corporate crimes?

Answer 38

Offences committed by large companies that directly benefit the company.

Question 39

How do corporate crimes compare to street crimes?

Answer 39

Corporate crimes are more harmful, causing physical, environmental, and financial harm.

Question 40

What are the three types of harm caused by corporate crimes?

Answer 40

* Physical harm (death, injury, ill health) * Environmental harm (pollution) * Financial harm (to customers, workers, taxpayers, and the government)

Question 41

What is an example of neglect of health and safety regulations?

Answer 41

The case of Javeed Ghaffer, who was crushed to death by a machine at a factory.

Question 42

What did the inquiry into Javeed Ghaffer's death reveal?

Answer 42

The safety guard did not extend to the out-feed of the machine, and the company did not improve it.

Question 43

What scandal is associated with Volkswagen?

Answer 43

The Dieselgate scandal, where they cheated emissions rules to increase profits.

Question 44

What was the environmental impact of Volkswagen's actions?

Answer 44

Released millions of tonnes of extra air pollution.

Question 45

What is an example of financial crime related to furlough fraud?

Answer 45

Some companies forced employees to continue working during lockdown, which was illegal.

Question 46

What is the potential cost of furlough fraud to the government?

Answer 46

Millions of pounds.

Question 47

What is tax evasion?

Answer 47

Large companies fail to pay their fair share of taxes by moving money to offshore accounts.

Question 48

How does tax evasion financially harm public services?

Answer 48

It reduces funding for public services like the NHS and schools.

Question 49

What do Marxists argue about the Grenfell Tower fire?

Answer 49

It was a corporate crime due to the use of inferior cladding known to be highly flammable.

Question 50

What types of harm did the Grenfell Tower fire cause?

Answer 50

* Physical harm (deaths, injuries, ill health) * Financial harm (extra costs for survivors) * Environmental harm (toxic smoke pollution)

Question 51

What is a reason for low prosecution rates related to the classification of cases?

Answer 51

Most cases are seen as accidents and dealt with as civil matters ## Footnote For example, the death of factory worker Javeed Ghaffer was treated as a terrible accident with an inquiry to prevent recurrence.

Question 52

What challenges arise in pin-pointing blame for incidents like the Grenfell Tower fire?

Answer 52

Difficult to determine who to blame: the company that created the cladding, the builders, or the council ## Footnote This complexity complicates accountability and prosecution.

Question 53

How do perpetrators use their powerful position to avoid prosecution?

Answer 53

They use cultural and economic capital ## Footnote Examples include claiming their company provides thousands of jobs or hiring the best lawyers.

Question 54

What is a bias in the criminal justice system regarding offenders from respectable backgrounds?

Answer 54

Offenders from middle class backgrounds have a better chance of being found not guilty ## Footnote This bias exists because they do not match police stereotypes and are treated more leniently by judges.

Question 55

What theory explains why middle class individuals may commit white-collar crimes?

Answer 55

Merton's strain theory ## Footnote It suggests individuals feel a 'strain to anomie' when they accept societal goals but lack legitimate means to achieve them.

Question 56

What is an example of an individual's motivation for committing insider trading?

Answer 56

Desire for more money beyond legitimate means ## Footnote For instance, an investment banker seeking funds for a second home may resort to insider trading.

Question 57

What corporate crime example was noted during the coronavirus lockdown?

Answer 57

Furlough fraud ## Footnote Companies committed this fraud because they could not sustain profits legitimately.

Question 58

How do individuals in high finance engage in white-collar crimes?

Answer 58

Through edgework in high-risk situations ## Footnote Examples include embezzling investor funds for thrill and excitement.

Question 59

Fill in the blank: Large companies may commit corporate crimes to sustain _______.

Answer 59

[profits]

Question 60

True or False: Judges and magistrates come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

Answer 60

False ## Footnote Judges and magistrates often come from middle class backgrounds, influencing their leniency.

Question 61

What motivates a financial advisor to commit embezzlement?

Answer 61

The thrill, risk, and excitement associated with high-stakes financial decisions ## Footnote This reflects the competitive nature of high finance environments.

Question 62

What is Labelling Theory?

Answer 62

Labelling Theory suggests that individuals or groups are labeled as deviant or criminal, which influences their identity and behavior. ## Footnote It emphasizes the significance of societal reaction in defining criminal behavior.

Question 63

What are white-collar and corporate crimes often perceived as?

Answer 63

White-collar and corporate crimes are often perceived as normal business practices and are unlikely to be defined or labeled as criminal. ## Footnote This perception leads to a process of de-labelling.

Question 64

What does the de-labeling of corporate crime imply?

Answer 64

It implies that most cases are seen as accidents and face civil proceedings rather than criminal prosecution. ## Footnote Corporate crimes are often redefined as non-criminal oversights.

Question 65

How do corporate crimes compare to street crimes like burglary?

Answer 65

Corporate crimes appear less criminal than street crimes due to their redefinition as accidents rather than deliberate illegal actions. ## Footnote For example, the Grenfell incident was labeled an accident.

Question 66

What drives corporate crimes according to the text?

Answer 66

Corporate crimes are driven by criminogenic capitalism, the need to maintain profits, and pressures to increase profits in a global market. ## Footnote This may lead to illegal means being used if legal means are insufficient.

Question 67

What scandal exemplifies the pursuit of profits leading to corporate crime?

Answer 67

The Dieselgate scandal exemplifies this, where Volkswagen knowingly cheated emissions rules to increase profits. ## Footnote They installed illegal 'defeat devices' in their diesel cars.

Question 68

What is the Marxist view on corporate crime?

Answer 68

The Marxist view holds that corporate crime is inevitable in capitalist society, as illegal practices are an extension of normal capitalist enterprise. ## Footnote This perspective suggests that profit motives can lead to unethical behavior.

Question 69

What does Sutherland's Differential Association theory propose?

Answer 69

Sutherland's Differential Association theory proposes that criminal behavior is learned from others, depending on one's associations. ## Footnote Associations with those who support illegal activities increase the likelihood of committing crimes.

Question 70

What example illustrates the culture of fiddling expenses among MPs?

Answer 70

The MPs expenses scandal illustrates this culture, where MPs misused taxpayers' money for personal gain. ## Footnote Claims included expenses for renovating second homes and even a £1,600 duck house.

Question 71

How can aggressive management cultures affect corporate crime?

Answer 71

Aggressive management cultures can result in corporate crime driven by company loyalty and the need to take shortcuts to compete. ## Footnote This may include practices like tax evasion.

Question 72

Fill in the blank: White-collar criminals avoid criminal labels as they appear to be just doing their _______.

Answer 72

[jobs]