criminology- unit 2 - sociological - structural

what does marxism suggest is the reason for crime

the unequal structure of a capitalist society

who are the proletariat

working class, own their time and energy to work, exploited by the bourgeoise

who are the bourgeoisie

upper class, own the means of production, exploit the proletariat

what are the 3 parts to marxism

capitalism is criminogenic

law making and law enforcement are biased

crime and the law have ideological functions

what does capitalism is criminogenic mean

capitalism is a crime and causes crime

explain capitalism is criminogenic

capitalism creates inequality, which pushes individuals to crime to survive

what is the equation for crime

exploitation + false need = crime (proletariat are paid low wages and have high living costs)

how are law making and law enforcement biased

laws are created and enforced to protect the interests of the ruling class and criminalise working class

who do law enforcers target

individuals of certain ethnicities and social status

how does crime and the law have ideological functions

laws are designed to maintain the status of those in power, often at the expense of working class

what do the ruling class use the law to do

define what they think is considered criminal, and to reflect their values

what is false class consciousness

where people in a social class don’t realise their true situation - so they support a system that harms them

what is one strength of marxism

explains both working class and upper class crime

what is another strength of marxism

shows how law making and law enforcement are biased - high number of wcc (in official stats)

one weakness of marxism

only focuses on influence of social class, doesn’t take into account systemic sexism or racism in justice system

whats another weakness of marxism

not all of working class commit crime

what does mertons strain theory suggest

the root cause of crime is the unequal structure of society

examples of blocked opportunities

inequality in education, work, class and gender

why do blocked opportunities create strain

not everyone has an equal chance of using legitimate means to achieve goals - so instead turn to crime

what are the four possible ways of adapting to strain

innovation

ritualism

retreatism

rebellion

what is innovation

accepting societies goals, but using illegitimate means to achieve them

what is retreatism

reject societies goals and the means of achieving them (substance misuse)

what is a strength of strain theory

supported by official stats - property crime is most common

what is another strength of strain theory

explains social class differences in crime - working class lack means to achieve + experience strain

what is a weakness of strain theory

doesn’t explain why wealthy people commit crime - Merton ignores crimes of wealthy and over-predicts working class crime

whats another weakness of strain theory

ignores crimes with no economical motive e.g. vandalism - ignores wcc (no blocked opportunities)

why do functionalists believe crime is inevitable

in every society there will be some individuals that are inadequately socialised and will deviate from norms

whats an anomie

when shared norms become weakened

why do anomies occur

shared norms get weakened due to diff social groups having diff values

what are the important functions of crime

boundary maintenance

safety valve

warning light

social change

what is boundary maintenance

crime provides boundaries to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour

what is a safety valve

a certain amount of crime is healthy for society and acts as a safety valve

whats a warning light

crime acts as a waring light to highlight disfunction in society

what is social change

where social norms and values are challenged and then changed

what is a strength of functionalism

first theory to acknowledge that crime may serve some beneficial functions

what is a weakness of functionalism

idea that crime is functional is disagreed with - not functional for victims

whats another weakness of functionalism

no way of determining how much crime is functional

what do subcultures do

enable their members to gain status by illegitimate means

how do subcultures offer a solution to status frustration

provide ppl with an alternative status hierarchy- can gain respect from peers through deviant acts

what are the different types of subcultures

criminal

conflict

retreatism

whats a criminal subculture

have alternative norms and reject mainstream society - engage in organised crime

whats a conflict subculture

engage in violent behaviour due to frustration

whats a retreatist subculture

ppl who failed in legitimate and illegitimate opportunities go turn to drugs and alcohol

one strength of subcultural theory

help identify how subcultures are formed - interventions put in place e.g. in school

another strength of subculture theory

explains why ppl find a sense of purpose in criminal groups instead of mainstream society

whats one weakness of subculture theory

assumes everyone has the same goal of achieving wealth and status

whats another weakness of subculture theory

some people commit crime without a subculture