criminology- unit 2- sociological - individualistic

who is the key thinker for labelling theory

Becker

what is primary deviance

first act of deviance

whats secondary deviance

when deviance increases as a result of being labelled

whats a deviance amplification spiral

when deviance becomes a repeated cycle after the individual tries to control deviance but it leads to an increase in deviance

how does crime occur according to labelling theory (long answer)

person engages in primary deviance
then engage in more deviance and become labelled as deviant/ criminal

this leads to a deviance amplification spiral

then a self fulfilling prophecy where they believe label and act that way through secondary deviance

whats a strength of labelling theory

explains reoffending rates- 68% of offenders in prison for less than 1yr reoffend

whats another strength of labelling theory

shows how police create crime by giving labels

whats a weakness of labelling theory

explains why crime spirals but not why it happens in first place

whats another weakness of labelling theory

assumes we are determined by labels- many people resist labels

what does right realism suggest is the reason for criminality

inadequate socialisation

what type of family should someone come from in order to not be criminal

nuclear family

what type of family is most likely to be criminal and why

single parent family - part of the underclass and likely to be on benefits + absent parents mean the individual lacks discipline and socialisation

what do right realists suggest about biological factors

innate traits (impulse control and anger) create more risk of criminality

what does rational choice theory suggest

ppl chose to engage in crime and carry out cost benefit analysis - look at benefits and consequences of committing a crime

whats a strength of right realism

doesnt suggest criminality is innate and explains people have free will and agency

whats one strength of right realism (study)

Rettig- found students were influenced by possible consequences when discussing hypothetical crimes

whats a weakness of right realism

not all impulsive crimes are rationally thought through - could have impaired decision making skills

whats another weakness of right realism

most evidence uses hypothetical scenarios - no real emotions, so doesnt replicate real life

what dose left realism explain (subcultures)

how groups not being represented in society feel marginalised - usual behaviours have been criminalised

what does left realism suggest a subculture is and why is it formed

groups of similar individuals in similar situations - formed to solve the problem of relative deprivation

what is relative deprivation

a lack of resources (food, education) in comparison to others - people turn to crime to fix this

whats a strength of left realism

explain the relationship between relative deprivation and criminality

whats another strength of left realism

focuses of real world issues- how crime disproportionately affects disadvantaged individuals

whats a weakness of left realism

ignores upper class crime - dont face relative deprivation but commit crime

whats another weakness of left realism

not all people who face relative deprivtion commit crime

what does surveillance do

normalises behaviour by creating systems of control that shape ppls thoughts and behaviour

what does benthams panopticon represent

a shift in the way power is perceived- from visible direct, to invisible indirect control

whats one strength of surveillance theory

influential in psychology - helps understand how surveillance can be used to shape behaviour

whats one weakness of surveillance theory

some people commit crime regardless of CCTV e.g. shoplifters