socialogical theories: social structure

Question 1

which theories were social structure

Answer 1

Marx (marxism)
Durkheim (functionalism- anomie theory)
merton(functionalism- strain theory)

Question 2

which theories are interactionism

Answer 2

Becker (labelling theory)

Question 3

which theories are realism

Answer 3

right realism (Murray/clarke/w&k)
left realism (lea and young)

Question 4

describe is social structure

Answer 4

the relationship between institutions, government, schools, hospital, policing, and social groups. These institutions hold a society together.

Question 5

describe marxist

Answer 5

someone who supports the political and economic theories or Karl Marx. They believe that capitalism is unequal and undemocratic being based on the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist class/bourgeoisie.

Question 6

describe capitalism

Answer 6

the social system which the means for producing and distributing goods are controlled by a small minority of people for profit (the capital class). Most people sell their ability to work in return for a wage or salary (the working class)

Question 7

claims of marxism

Answer 7

• Capitalism encourages individuals to be materialistic consumers making us want things we don’t need and can’t afford. We learn it is acceptable to harm others and the environment in the process of capitalism.
  -Marxism is claiming that capitalism in its wake generates massive inequality and poverty and a disadvantaged working class is the cause of crime

Question 8

components of marxism

Answer 8

David Gordon found that capitalism is criminogenic because:
1. It encourages individuals to pursue self-interest before everything else.
2. It encourages us to want things that we don’t need and can’t afford.
3. It creates inequality and poverty.

William Chambliss:
-Found that massive inequality gives people at the bottom (the working class) a sense of frustration and injustice. As a result, economic crime. And violent street crime flourishes

Question 9

credibility of marxism

Answer 9

+ Highlights the impact of selective law enforcements
+ Demonstrates how the law reflects differences in power between the social class also how inequality in society can lead to criminal behavior.
-lacks scientific credibility he sufficiently tested.
-deterministic is implies the ruling class has the working class.

Question 10

applications of marxism

Answer 10

Jordan Belford accompanied fraud in Stratton Oakmont and stole $200 million he received 4 years imprisonment and only served 22 months. His crimes link to Marxism because Belford was employed as a salesman however, he resulted in bankruptcy, and this led to frustration. He harmed others to be successful in his business and wanted to work his way to the top. Belford blamed drugs and addiction for his crime.

Question 11

refuting evidence of marxism

Answer 11

-not all working-class people commit crime in addition not all capitalist societies have high crime rates (Japan and Switzerland)
-some wealthy are prosecuted, and this refutes the claims that the criminal justice system mainly concerns itself with policing and punishing the poor not the wealthy.

Question 12

Supporting evidence of marxism

Answer 12

Lauren snider (1990) provides some key supporting evidence:
-the ruling class pass laws that do not criminalize themselves.
-the state doesn’t like passing laws that would control big businesses and corporations.
-for example, there is very little law to protect the environment or workers health and safety.

Question 13

claims of Durkheim

Answer 13

• Crime is a normal part of a healthy society
• Crime exists in all societies because it reaffirms moral boundaries and at times crime facilities needed social change.
  -If crime rates are too low or too high, it causes a society to become dysfunctional.

Question 14

Components of Durkheim

Answer 14

Boundary maintenance: (Punishment) when people commit crime society can punish them and therefore maintain and reinforce societal boundaries for the rest of us

Adaptation to change: Norms and values can be changed therefore society can develop and adjust to meet the needs of the people. Therefore, a small amount of crime can be beneficial because it can create a positive change.

Social cohesion: Crime strengthens social cohesions and the willingness of members of society to cooperate with one another. Pulls the community together to make people feel connected.

Question 15

credibility of Durkheim

Answer 15

+The only theory that looks at crime as an inevitable and possible necessary part of society
+Demonstrates that crime and deviance can create positive social change.
- Durkheim never states how much crime is the right amount of crime for society.
-Not all crime is functional.
-Very difficult to test the function of crime- lacks scientific credibility.

Question 16

applications of Durkheim

Answer 16

The Jamie bulger case can be applied to the function of adaptation and change because the law upon age criminalisation was decreased to 10 as it made a change in society and cause accountability to have more restrictions. It can also be applied to social cohesion because the case resulted in society coming together

Question 17

refuting evidence of Durkheim

Answer 17

-Becker (1970) functionalism does not consider why some people get labelled criminals and not others.
-Marxists would argue that only the working classes get punished for the crimes they commit this is because the law is reinforced by the ruling classes to protect themselves and not for the greater good of society

Question 18

supporting evidence of Durkheim

Answer 18

-Parsons (1950) supports Durkheim – all individuals must be taught /socialised to accept non deviant values and to abide by rules/ laws. However, those who do not are punished with fines imprisonment which reinforces the norms rules and values.
-Hirschi(1969) acknowledge the role of people commitments to their community their beliefs and to wider society in encouraging them to abide by set norms and laws.

Question 19

claims of merton

Answer 19

-The American dream encourages individual to pursue a goal of success which is measured in terms of wealth and possessions. The American dream cam encourage deviance and crime.
- Merton’s main concern was that societies such as the United States do not provide the means for everyone to achieve the same social goals.
- This forces the individuals to either work within the structure society has produced or get nowhere in life or instead becoming a member of a deviant /criminal subculture to achieve those goals.

Question 20

components of merton

Answer 20

stated there are five responses to not being able to achieve the American dream through legitimate means:

Conformity- people

Ritualism- people give up on their goals but continue to go through the motions of life. In a ritual like fashion e.g. just turning up to work everyday

Innovation- people realise they will not achieve their goals through legitimate means so innovate their means often criminally to achieve them.

Retreatism- people give up on their goals reject any means to reach them and so retreat from mainstream society e.g. dropping out of work.

Rebellion- people reject society’s goals and the means of achieving them so rebel against society

Question 21

credibility of merton

Answer 21

+Merton was the first to suggest that crime can eb linked to the inability to achieve social goals. ‘
+First sociologist to suggest the idea of subcultures in society.
+Explains the higher rates of offending among lower social class.
- Lacks scientific credibility as it cannot be tested.
-It doesn’t explain violent crime.
-Its reductionist as it doesn’t consider biological or individualistic explanations
-Deterministic as it implies if an individual cannot achieve goals legitimately, they will inevitably turn to crime.

Question 22

application

Answer 22

Jamie bulger case and ponzi scheme

Question 23

refuting evidence of merton

Answer 23

-Hirschi 1969 argued that mertons theory is not supported empirically
-Taylor 1973 emphasis on criminality in lower classes fails to examine why elites break laws such as corporate crimes

Question 24

supporting evidence of merton

Answer 24

-Nightingale 1990 developed Merton’s strain theory applying it successfully to inner city youths in the 1990s
-Baumer 2007 analysed official data and found crime rates were higher in areas where there was a high commitment to monetary success alongside a weak commitment to legitimate means.