2.3

• Sociological theories of criminality believe that society influence a person to become criminal
• sociological theories

  focus on the role of social factors , such as the structure of society and different classes as a cause of criminality.
• structural theory 


  focuses on the structure of society when explaining crime.
• Social structure - This theory assumes that a disadvantaged social class is the primary cause of crime and that criminal behaviour begins in youth. Crime is largely a result of unfavourable conditions in a community , for example unemployment , single - parent families.
• Marxists essentially see crime as something being inevitable in a capitalist society and is sued by the ruling class , bourgeoisie , as a means of social control. If someone does not conform then they will be punished
• Marxists would also argue that different social classes are policed differently , with the working class , or proletariat are heavily policed in the expectation that they will be more criminal and therefore raising the chance of their crime being deleted
• Marxists hold the view that , when it comes to crime , governments fabricate statistics to suit their purposes and get public support for any action taken by that government that might be constructed as trespassing on freedoms, Marxists believe that on average 42% of the statistics presented by the government and false and misleading.
• Émile Durkheim believes that crime is inevitable as not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments or values and beliefs. Socialisation and social control help to achieve solidarity in society
• What do Marxists argue shapes people's behavior in society?

  The unequal structure of capitalist society
• How do Marxists view the relationship between inequality and crime?

  Unequal society creates crime
• What are the two classes in capitalist society according to Marxists?

  Bourgeoisie and proletariat
• What are the five main points Marxists focus on regarding crime?

  1. Crime as a response to inequality
  2. Consumerism leads to theft
  3. Selective law enforcement against the poor
  4. Manipulation of crime statistics
  5. Media's role in supporting the bourgeoisie
• Why do Marxists believe most crime occurs?

  It is a response to inequality and poverty
• How does consumerism relate to crime in Marxist theory?

  It leads some to commit theft or burglary
• What is selective law enforcement according to Marxists?

  Police target the poor working class more
• How do Marxists view crime statistics?

  They believe statistics are manipulated by the powerful
• What is a strength of Marxist theory regarding crime?

  It explains crime across all social classes
• What is a weakness of Marxist theory regarding crime?

  It ignores issues like gender and ethnicity
• What does strain theory suggest about societal pressure?

  It pressures individuals to achieve accepted goals
• What can result from the strain of unachievable goals?

  Individuals may commit crimes for financial security
• How many main responses to strain does Merton identify?

  Five main responses
• What are Merton's five responses to strain?

  1. Conformity
  2. Rebellion
  3. Ritualism
  4. Retreatism
  5. Innovation
• What does conformity mean in Merton's strain theory?

  Accepting goals and restrictions of society
• What does rebellion mean in Merton's strain theory?

  Rejecting societal goals and means
• What does ritualism mean in Merton's strain theory?

  Lowering aspirations to attainable goals
• What does retreatism mean in Merton's strain theory?

  Giving up on societal goals and means
• What does innovation mean in Merton's strain theory?

  Turning to crime to achieve societal goals
• Who is Stuart Howatson in relation to strain theory?

  A case study of innovation in crime
• What event is associated with rebellion in strain theory?

  The London riots after Mark Duggan's death
• What is a strength of strain theory?

  It explains higher crime rates in the working class
• What is a weakness of strain theory?

  It only applies to lower-class individuals
• What is primary deviance?

  Acts that have not been publicly labelled
• What is secondary deviance?

  Results from labelling of primary deviance
• What does labelling theory state?

  No act is deviant until labelled by power
• How does labelling affect individuals in society?

  Leads to marginalization and deviant sub-groups
• What is the self-fulfilling prophecy in relation to deviance?

  People become what labels say they are
• What is the deviancy amplification spiral?

  Control attempts increase deviance instead of reducing
• What is a strength of labelling theory?

  It shows how control can create more deviance
• What is a weakness of labelling theory?

  It suggests labels lead to inevitable criminality
• What is the political outlook of right realism?

  Right-wing and conservative