Relative Deprivation - Lea and Young

How do Lea and Young describe Relative Deprivation?

Individual perceives themselves as deprived (whether materially or otherwise) in comparison to others in society

What crisis did Lea and Young suggest that there was in the 1950s?

An Aetiological crisis in Criminology

• couldn’t explain why crime rates were rising despite increases in people’s living standards

Why does Lea and Young suggest that there has been a heightened sense of Relative Deprivation?

Media and Advertising

• persuades influences inflate material expectations for everyone

• people feel economically disadvantaged despite increased prosperity

How does Lea and Young’s theory of Relative Deprivation lead to an increase in crime?

Fuels a relentless drive to accumulate possessions

• People feel they cannot live the lifestyle promoted - leads to frustration and resentment

What does Young mean when he suggests that we are living in a ‘Global Merton’

• Increased individualism and consumerism promoted by the media

• and economic exclusion

How do Lea and Young describe the ‘Golden Age of Capitalism’ and what has it been replaced with?

• Most people were in full employment with wage increases

Replaced with job insecurity and zero hour contracts

Who created the Relative Deprivation Theory?

Lea and Young