lecture 12
Review of Sociological Theories and Crime Overview
Discussing various sociological theories, crime statistics, gender connection to crime, and white-collar crimes. Emphasis on the importance of attendance and engagement in class to understand material. Mention of review sheets available for students on Brightspace and the importance of attending classes for comprehensive notes.
Key Concepts of Deviance and Crime
Differential Association Theory
Developed by Edwin Sutherland in 1939.
Suggests that deviance is learned from peers and social environments.
Learned Deviance: Association with peers who accept criminal norms leads individuals to deviate.
Implies a ratio where majority contacts with deviant peers increase likelihood of delinquency.
Structural Strain Theory
Introduced by Merton, explaining crime as a result of societal structure undermining traditional norms.
Anomie: A state of normlessness leading to feelings of aimlessness and hopelessness.
Explains how the value of material success can create strains when not everyone has equal means to achieve it.
Crime becomes a reaction to these strains, especially in a capitalistic society: Economic inequality contributes to crime since not everyone can attain the societal goal of material success.
Responses to Strain
Conformists: Accept societal goals and means of achieving them.
Innovators: Accept societal goals but use illegal means (e.g., drug dealers).
Ritualists: Follow societal rules without believing in the values behind them.
Retreatists: Withdraw from societal goals and means (e.g., a hippie).
Rebels: Seek to change societal structures altogether.
Labeling Theory
Developed by Howard S. Becker.
Argues that deviance is a social label assigned by the powerful, rather than an intrinsic quality of an act.
Primary Deviance: Initial act of transgression not yet labeled.
Secondary Deviance: Acceptance of the deviant label leads to further deviant behavior (self-fulfilling prophecy).
Studied through examples, such as the "Saints" and "Roughnecks" highlighting class influence on labeling and outcomes in adulthood.
Rational Choice Theory
Proposes that individuals make rational decisions to engage in crime, weighing risks and benefits.
Indicates that minor crimes are often situational, not premeditated and that most offenders are generalists, not specialists.
Broken Windows Theory
Suggests that visible signs of disorder (e.g., broken windows) encourage more serious crimes to flourish.
Instituted by New York City police to crack down on petty crimes as a means to prevent larger crimes.
Critique of how these policies disproportionately target certain populations, leading to civil rights concerns.
Crime Statistics and Trends
Discusses the underreporting of crime, especially violent crimes.
It's noted that violent crime constitutes only a small percentage (approximately 10%) of total crime reported in statistics.
A significant portion of crime, particularly property crimes, often goes unreported due to the victims' perceptions that reporting would yield no significant result.
Furthermore, societal attitudes and fears can impact reporting rates; individuals may not report crimes due to stigma or perceived lack of police efficacy.
Statistics reveal that crime rates have generally declined over the years, suggesting a potential stabilizing effect on society.
This decline raises important discussions about the implications of societal changes, improved policing practices, economic factors, and the role of community engagement in crime prevention.
Understanding these patterns is crucial for policymakers, as it informs strategies for crime reduction, resource allocation, and community outreach efforts.
Conclusion
The lecture provides insight into the relationships between societal structures, deviant behavior, and the implications of labeling in crime statistics. Importance of understanding these theories in framing discussions surrounding crime, morality, and inequality in society.