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sociology
Durkheim - functionalist
Deviance allows for social change and all societies need some change to remain stable.
Crime becomes dysfunctional when it becomes too high (Threatens social order) or becomes too low (there’s no social change)
Cohen- functionalism
Prostitution acts as a safety valve to the family
Deviant behaviour acts as a warning device so society can identify emerging social problems.
Working class boys experience status frustration. They lead to an alternative status hierarchy as they have a lack of opportunities to achieve in main stream society.
Merton- functionalists
Crime is a response to failing to achieves societies cultural goals
The American dream, when it fails it creates anomie
Strain theory:
Conforming
Innovating
Ritual
Retreating
Rebelling
Sutherland- functionalism
Differential association theory, deviancy is passed on through association, argues that deviance is learned.
Defined white collar crime as a criminal act committed by a person of ‘high status’
Cloward and Ohlin- functionalism
Identify three subcultures that lead to deviance
Criminal subculture
Conflict subculture
retreatism subculture
Access to illegitimate opportunity structure is unequal, which explains why not all frustrated working class boys resort to crime
Taylor, Walton and Young- functionalists
Point to deviant groups, such as hippies, that don’t share goals of success and wealth.
Becker- interactionalism
We should focus on what causes the deviant behaviour
Self concept of being deviant can increase deviant behaviour. If the label is reinforces by societal rejection, it becomes a deviant career. It will then become the individuals master status.
Young - study
Studies drug users in Notting Hill. They developed a deviant self concept, which became their master status. Society responded negatively and the drug taking increased
Goffman- labelling and mental illness
Deviant career in mental illness. The negative label of being mad is imposed on the patient by society, and the patient must eventually conform to it.
Lemert
The difference between primary and secondary deviance. Most people commit primary deviance in their lives but it holds little significance. When there is a societal reaction and the individual feels the weight of the label- they sometimes commit more deviant behaviour. This is called secondary deviance
Gramsci - Marxist
Hegemony (the dominance of ruling class ideology) is used to maintain social control. Institutions such as the legal system socialise everyone into accepting ruling class ideas.
Chambliss- Marxist
Most of property law serves to keep working class people away from property and the rich. It is used to protect private property because capitalist exploitation is built upon it.
Found an organised crime syndicate which included elite businessmen and politicians, who bribed officials.
Pearce- Marxist
Suggested that even the laws that allegedly protect the working class (e.g. health and safety laws) are in the interests of the ruling class.
Snider- Marxist
Working class crimes such as theft don’t cause as much damage as corporate crimes such as breaking health and safety laws
Gordon- Marxists
Argues selective enforcement of the law and selective reporting of the media gives the impression of criminals being largely working class. It creates a bigger division as the working class become the target of societal anger
Taylor, Walton and Young
Criminals choose to break the law. Crime is a fight against capitalism, use the example of the black panther movement.
