social class & crime T10

Question 1

explaining class differences in crime

Answer 1

• functionalism
• strain theory
• subcultural theory
• labelling theory
• marxism
• neo marxism

Question 2

explanations of corporate crime

Answer 2

• strain theory
• differential association
• labelling theory
• marxism

Question 3

Miller - focal concerns (functionalism)

Answer 3

w/c boys socialised into a number of distinct values that meant they were more likely to engage in deviant behaviour

Question 4

evaluation of functionalists explaining class differences

Answer 4

feminists - masculine values not lower class ones

Question 5

focal concerns

Answer 5

• excitement
• toughness
• smartness
• trouble
• autonomy
• fate

Question 6

functionalist approach to class differences in crime

Answer 6

inadequate socialisation into societies shared norms and values

Question 7

Merton - class differences

Answer 7

legitimate ways to achieve goals are blocked

Question 8

subcultural theory

Answer 8

Cohen - join deviant subcultures as a response to status frustration
Cloward & Ohlin - subcultures emerge in w/c neighbourhoods

Question 9

labelling theory - class differences

Answer 9

reject OCS and focus on how and why w/c are labelled criminal
master status & SFP due to stereotypes and media amplification (folk devil)

Question 10

marxism - class differences

Answer 10

ruling class make laws protecting their interests and criminalise w/c

Question 11

neo-marxism - class differences

Answer 11

crime is a conscious, meaningful choice with a political motive (rebel against capitalism)

Question 12

white collar crime

Answer 12

committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation

Question 13

occupational crime

Answer 13

committed by employees for own personal gain, often against organisation

Question 14

corporate crime

Answer 14

illegal act that benefits the business

Question 15

examples of corporate crime

Answer 15

• financial crimes
• crimes against consumers
• crimes against employees
• crimes against environment
• state-corporate crimes

Question 16

crimes against employees

Answer 16

violations of wage & h&s laws
up to 1,100 work related deaths a year involve employers breaking the law

Question 17

crimes against consumers

Answer 17

false labelling or unfit goods
e.g. Poly Implant Prothese breast implants

Question 18

Tombs

Answer 18

corporate crime has enormous costs
- physical
- environmental
- economic

Question 19

Carrabine

Answer 19

position of high-status professionals gives them the opportunity to abuse trust e.g. tax avoidance scheme by Ernst & Young estimated to cost tax payer over £300million per year

Question 20

Harold Shipman case

Answer 20

GP convicted for murder of 15 patients

Question 21

reasons for invisibility of corporate crime

Answer 21

• media (limited coverage reinforces w/c crime problem)
• lack of political will (focus on street crime)
• complexity
• de-labelling (prosecution limited, fines not jail)
• underreporting

Question 22

explanations of corporate crime

Answer 22

• strain theory
• differential association
• labelling theory
• marxism

Question 23

crimes of the powerful

Answer 23

• white collar
• corporate
• occupational

Question 24

Box - strain theory

Answer 24

expands on Merton. If a company can’t achieve its goal of maximising profit by legal means, it may employ illegal ones instead

Question 25

Clinard & Yeager

Answer 25

law violations by large companies increased as their financial performance deteriorated, suggesting willingness to 'innovate' to achieve profit goals

Question 26

Sutherland - differential association

Answer 26

sees criminal behaviour was learnt from others in a social context. If a company's culture justifies committing crimes to achieve corporate goals, employees will be socialised into this criminality

Question 27

Sykes and Matza - differential association

Answer 27

individuals may deviate more easily if they produce 'techniques of neutralisation' - claim everyone is doing it

Question 28

Nelken - labelling theory

Answer 28

businesses and professionals have the power to avoid labelling e.g. afford expensive experts to conceal crimes

Question 29

Box - marxism

Answer 29

capitalism has created 'mystification' - spread ideology that corporate crime is less widespread & harmful than w/c crime. control of state = avoid making & enforcing laws that conflict with its interests

Question 30

evaluation of marxism & strain theory for explaining corporate crime

Answer 30

Nelken - unrealistic to assume alll businesses offend - need to maintain goodwill of consumers may prevent criminal activity

Question 31

general evaluation of explaining corporate crime

Answer 31

don't address crime in non-profit making state agencies e.g. police, army

Question 32

Braithwaite - evaluation of explaining corporate crime

Answer 32

law abiding may be more profitable than law breaking