New Perspective/ Critical Criminology Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the focus for control theories?
It asks why do people conform, and believes deviance arises from weak social bonds
What are some criticisms of control theories?
They use circular logic
What are some criticisms of traditional theories?
They focus on deviance from the law rather than from social point of views
And they fail to take into account politics
True or False? The ruling class make the law
True, they do so in ways which allows them to stay in power and exploit the working class
True or False? Changing laws according to self interest of ruling class will not increase crime rates
False, using laws in these ways criminalises the working classes
What is conflict theory based on?
The idea that there are interest groups which are in conflict and this causes crime.
How does conflict cause crime?
There are different values of people and the state, and people who do not conform to the states power are seen as deviant and criminal
Where does conflict theory get its roots?
Karl Marx and his theory of Marxism
What are some examples of the ruling class using their power over the working class?
English vagrancy laws during the Black Death, made the working class continue their jobs no matter the risk
What influence did the black civil rights movement have on criminology?
Had a liberal backing and focus, asked questions about the current systems, and people who were fighting for civil rights were seen as deviant
What did Karl Marx believe about crime?
He believed it was not normal in a healthy society, and it is a product of an unjust and corrupt system
True or False?
Interest groups are only related to classes
False, there can be racial based or even just morality based interest groups
What part did the Vietnam war play within sociology?
It was instrumental for the massive social change in America, people started to question the system and have their own morals
True or False?
All behaviour patters have the opportunity to be labelled criminal
True! As laws are decided upon by who is in power they can decide what is criminal
True or False?
When a small interest group deviates from the norm they are praised
False, they are labelled as criminal by the state
