SOC 225 A01: Criminology - Week 5: Social Conflict Theories

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering social conflict theories, Marxism, feminist perspectives, and restorative justice models as discussed in SOC 225 A01: Criminology.

Social Conflict Theory

A perspective that sees crime as the outcome of class struggle caused by economic inequality and holds that laws are established and defined by those in power.

True Crimes

Critical harms identified by conflict theory such as racism, sexism, imperialism, poor housing, childcare, working conditions, pollution, and war.

Productive Forces

A component of production in Marxism that includes technology, energy sources, and material resources.

Relations of Production

The people involved in production, such as the relationship between owners of the means of production (bourgeoisie) and labourers (proletariat).

Imperatively Coordinated Associations

A concept proposed by Ralf Dahrendorf referring to authority and domination relationships within society's multiple competing interest groups.

The Social Reality of Crime

A theory by Richard Quinney stating that criminal definitions are based on changing social conditions, emerging interests, and increased demands to protect the needs of the powerful.

Norm Resistance

Open conflict that occurs during interactions between authorities and subjects who have cultural and social norms but low or no control over the law.

Dangerous Classes

A term for individuals with personal characteristics—such as being young, single, urban, male, or racialized—that may result in harsher sentencing or treatment in the CJS.

Correctionalist

An approach in social science that seeks to correct criminal behaviors rather than explain them as being rooted in economic relations.

Instrumental Marxism

The view that the law is designed to specifically advance the interests of particular groups and organizations.

Structural Marxism

The view that the law maintains the capitalist system and ensures that individuals who threaten the system's stability are punished.

Left Realism

A perspective that prioritizes due process, focuses on the victim, and views the impact of street crimes on communities as a primary concern.

Pre-emptive Deterrence

Community organization efforts designed to reduce crime before it becomes necessary to use police force.

Marxist Feminism

The theory that gender inequality stems from the unequal power of men and women in capitalism, rooted in private property and male domination.

Radical Feminism

The view that crime committed by women is caused by the patriarchy and the subordination and control of women by men.

Power-control Theory

The theory that crime and delinquency rates are the result of two factors: class position (power) and family functions (control).

Paternalistic Families

Families where fathers are the primary breadwinners and men occupy the positions of control.

Egalitarian Families

Families characterized by an equal sharing of authority and power between parents.

Restorative Justice

A view of justice that redefines crime as a violation of relationships and a conflict between the offender, victims, and the community.

Peacemaking Criminology

A branch of conflict theory that stresses humanism, mediation, and conflict resolution as a means to end crime rather than coercive punishment.

Masculinity Hypothesis

An early biosocial theory on gender and crime attributed to Cesare Lombroso that has since been debunked.

Chivalry Hypothesis

An early biosocial theory on gender and crime attributed to Otto Pollak that has since been debunked.