Criminological Theory

What does the Sociological Imagination focus on?

• people have agency that is shaped by their milieux

• troubles vs issues

• biography and history

Thoery

system of ideas intended to explain something, based on systematic observation

assumptions

underlying presumptions about human behavior and society

Assertions

specific propositions, must be testable

A good theory…

• makes sense

• empirical evidence

• accomplish goals

Structural Functionalism Main Principles

• society is stable

• ordered system of interrelated parts/structures

• each structure has a function that contributes to the equilibrium of the whole

According to Structural Functionalism how does structures meet the needs of a society?

by performing different functions

What was Goffman’s main ideas?

• how you present yourself in everyday life

• impression management

• dramaturgy

• stigma

• total institutions

Dramaturgy

• to perform

• how we perceive a situation

• front/back stage

• roles and status

Durkheim’s Key Ideas

• mechanical (early society) vs organic (modern society) solidarity

• collective consciousness

• anomie

Anomie

feeling of normlessness

Structural Functionalism

complex system of parts that work together to provide stability aand social order

What functions do structures serve for society?

• manifest (obvious)

• latent (less obvious)

• dysfunction

Durkheim’s Key Themes

social facts and social solidarity

Durkheim

• division of labor in society

• norms and pathological

• suicide

Who is the father of conflict theory?

Karl Marx

What does Durkheim say about deviance?

critical for society, everywhere and always present

Social Structure

relationships among people and groups, sets limits on behavior

Status

position a person occupies in a social group/society

Ascribed Status

person has no choice, given

Achieved Status

earned

Master Status

status others are most likely to use to identify you

Status Inconsistency

mismatch/contradiction between statuses

Roles

set of behaviors and obligations that go with the status

Sociological Imagination

understand the larger history by the means for inner life and the individual

Social Power: Conflict Theory of Crime

social reality of crime is consistant on conflict on our society

Social Power: Conflict Theory of Crime defintions of crime

created by agents of the dominant class in a politically organized society

What does Critical Race Theory (CTR) look at?

historical racism and how it still matters today

A Few Key Themes of Critical Race Theory (CTR)

• race is socially construct, created to benefit white people

• systematic racism exists across many spectrums

• white privilage leads to false iseas of meritocracy

• “color blindness" invalidates racial people’s experiences

What are some of Baccaria’s basic premises?

• set punishment, consistent

• trial by jury

• make the legal process public

• people need to understand the laws

• no torture

• no capital punishment

What does Deterrence Theory state is the purpose of punishment?

• deterrence

• rehabilitation

• reinstitution

• incapacitation

• retribution

General Deterrence

deter others from similar acts

Specific Deterrence

previous crime from inflict new injuries

What does Deterrence Theory say the key elements of punishment are?

swift, certain (most important), severe

Rational Choice Theory

people are rational, crime is a series of rational choices

Routine Activities Theory

• focuses on victims and victimization

• motivated offender + suitable target = likelihood of victimization

Structural Strain Theory

• Merton

• shared goals and institutionalized means

• strain from mismatch of goals and means

• strain leads to anomie

What does Cloward and Ohlin add to Structural Stain Theory?

concept of access to illegitimate means

Key parts of the American Dream

• achieve orientation

• individualism

• universalism

• monetary rewards