CJ 201: Test #2

What do conflict theorists focus on?

The definition of crime and why behaviors are labeled criminal, rather than just why people commit crime.

Why do conflict theorists focus on definitions of crime?

Because laws reflect the interests of powerful groups, not a universal agreement on what is harmful.

Marxist conflict theory

Society is divided between capitalists and workers; laws benefit the ruling class.

Pluralist conflict theory

Many groups compete for power, and laws reflect the interests of the most powerful groups.

Ford Pinto case (conflict theory)

Shows how harmful actions by corporations are often not criminalized, while similar acts by individuals are punished.

Control over resources (conflict theory)

The group that controls key resources has power and uses laws to maintain control and suppress others.

Patriarchy

A system where men dominate society and shape institutions, often marginalizing women.

Liberal feminism

Believes change can happen within the current system through equal opportunity.

Radical feminism

Believes society is fundamentally patriarchal and must be restructured.

Marxist/Socialist feminism

Believes patriarchy is tied to capitalism and will decline if capitalism is removed.

Equity feminism

Supports equality but argues modern feminism sometimes discriminates against men.

Christina Hoff

Sommers' view

Neo

classical theory

Routine Activities Theory

Crime occurs when a motivated offender, suitable target, and lack of capable guardianship are present.

Motivated offender

Someone willing to commit a crime.

Suitable target

A person or object that is vulnerable to crime.

Capable guardian

Anything that can prevent crime (police, locks, cameras, people).

Rational Choice Theory

Crime is a decision

Involvement decision

Decision to become motivated to commit crime.

Event decision

Decision to act on committing a crime in a specific situation.

Crime prevention (rational choice)

Focus on influencing event decisions rather than involvement decisions.

Lifestyle Theory

Certain lifestyles increase risk of victimization.

Lifestyle Theory criticism

It is controversial because it can be seen as blaming the victim.

Crime hotspots

Bars, parties, and street corners where high

Wright et al. (2004) findings

Perceived punishment deters people who are already prone to crime the most.

Chicago School theory

Crime is caused by environmental and neighborhood conditions.

Chicago School methods

Crime mapping, use of official statistics, and qualitative community studies.

Historical influences on Chicago School

WWI, Prohibition, Great Depression, urbanization, immigration.

Concentric Zone Theory

Cities are structured in zones, with highest crime in the zone of transition.

Zone of transition

Area between business district and working

Social disorganization

Breakdown of social structures leading to crime.

Causes of social disorganization

High mobility, unstable neighborhoods, and lack of social control.

Effect of social disorganization

Crime becomes normalized and learned.

Policy implication (social disorganization)

Improving neighborhoods may reduce crime.

Misinterpretations of social disorganization

Blaming residents or thinking physical improvements alone fix crime.

Collective efficacy

Social cohesion and willingness of neighbors to intervene for the common good.

Signs of low collective efficacy

Lack of trust, no intervention, ignoring disorder.

Broken windows theory

Fixing small problems helps reduce larger crimes by increasing community control.

Anomie (Durkheim)

A state of normlessness caused by rapid social change.

Merton's anomie theory

Crime results from a gap between societal goals and the means to achieve them.

American success ideal

Cultural pressure to achieve wealth and success.

Root cause of crime (Merton)

Strain from inability to achieve success through legitimate means.

Modes of adaptation

Ways individuals respond to strain.

Conformist

Accepts goals and means.

Innovator

Accepts goals but rejects means (criminal behavior).

Ritualist

Rejects goals but follows rules.

Retreatist

Rejects both goals and means.

Rebel

Rejects and seeks to replace the system.

Strain theory (general idea)

Crime results from a disconnect between expectations and reality.

Classic strain theory (Cohen)

Lower

Status frustration

Feeling of failure leading to delinquency.

Cloward and Ohlin

Different subcultures form based on access to criminal opportunities.

Criminal subculture

Organized crime activity.

Conflict subculture

Violent behavior.

Retreatist subculture

Drug and alcohol use.

General Strain Theory (Agnew)

Strain comes from multiple sources and leads to negative emotions.

Key idea of GST

Crime is not inevitable; coping skills and support matter.

Elliot and Voss

Even wealthy youth experience strain due to desire for immediate gratification.

Messner and Rosenfeld

Strain affects social institutions, weakening their effectiveness