Criminnology SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES Flashcards
(30 cards)
Who talks about functionalism
Emile durkheim
Why do functionalists believes crime is inevitable
Because in every society people are socialised differently so will be likely to deviate
What is an anomie
Society contains many social groups each with different values, an anomie is a ‘normlessness’ group, where shared values are weakened.
What are the 4 key ways that crime is functionally and briefly explain them
Boundary maintenance reinforces moral codes and social solidarity. Social change so society can progress with new norms and values. Safety valve so deviant people can let off steam. And a warning device that sends a warning to society that social order is breaking down, prompts gov to do something.
Positives and negatives of functionalist Durkheim view
Positives - minor crimes could potentially lessen the chance of major crimes like murder from happening because of the safety valve, crimes have caused a change in public opinion, eg homosexuality.
Negatives - doesn’t look at what causes of crime could be, he says it’s good for society but doesn’t specify how much crime we should have.
What is Mertons strain theory?
Merton thinks crime occurs when individuals find they cannot achieve the success of goals in society in a legitimate way.
There’s ’strain’ between peoples goals and the ability to achieve them.
What is mertons deviance typology?
Conform - accept means and goals
Innovation - reject means and accept goals
Ritualism - accept means and reject goals
Retreatism - reject means and goals
Rebellion - new means and goals
What is cohens subcultural theory
Suggests the response to failure and inequality was at group level not just individual. Explains how deviant subcultures can form. Also explains how some crimes arent for money but for status and respect. So working class boys usually form their own subculture in school because they cant have money and status in society.
What are functionalists theories of crime
Durkheim, Merton and cohen
What does interactionalism mean?
Refers to how individuals in society interact with each other
What is the labelling theory and who talks about it
Becker, claimed that once a person was labelled a delinquent they would become it. He called it a self fulfilling prophecy.
In what scenario is it illegal to stop and search
If it’s based on ethnicity race or gender.
What is primary and secondary deviance
Primary deviance is where the behaviour of the person breaks societies norm and values but is not yet socially labelled as deviant. Eg telling lies
Secondary deviance is more serious behaviour recognised as deviant. Eg robbery.
Who did cohen study
Mods and rockers.
Strengths and limitations of interactionalism
Strengths -
Shows laws arent a fixed set of rules but instead a social construct. It shifts focus onto the police and how their labels create crime. It shows how attempt to control deviance can trigger a deviance amplification spiral.
Limitations -
Suggests labelling is deterministic but not everyone accepts their labels. Assumes offenders are just passive, doesn’t show personal choice. Fails to understand why people commit the primary deviance before they are labelled.
What is social structure theory
Claims our social status is the cause of crime. Claims crime is caused by those who belong to a lower class
Who is Karl Marx
A political sociologist
What is social control
Society is controlled by the bourgeoisie so the proletariat must conform to their rules.
Why would the proletariat be more likely to commit crimes
Go against the rules of the Bourgeoisie - rebelling
Why do the bourgeoisie get away with committing crime
Their power - can cover it up
Strengths and limitations of Marxism
Strengths -
Shows how social structure can cause economic crimes and shows how the law is unequal
Limitations -
Overestimates social class as a cause, ignores the relationship between all other inequalities and crime, like gender race etc, and not all poor people commit crime.
Who is right realism
Conservative
Who is left realism
Labour
What do right realists think
Zero tolerance policy, getting justice for victim and not interested in rehabilitation for the offender. They criticise other theories for not offering a solution to crime.
