2.3- Sociological theories of crime

• What is the focus of Unit 2 in criminology?

  Sociological Theories of Criminality
• What do sociological theories of criminology believe?

  Society influences a person to become a criminal
• What are the main sociological theories covered in this unit?

  • Social Structure Theory
  • Functionalism
  • Marxism
  • Interactionism
  • Realism
  • Status Frustration
  • Subcultures
• What does the Social Structure theory assume about crime?

  A disadvantaged social class is the primary cause
• What factors contribute to crime according to Social Structure theory?

  Unemployment and single-parent families
• How does poverty relate to crime in Social Structure theory?

  Poor people commit crimes for success
• How does Functionalism view society?

  As similar to a human body with institutions
• What is collective consciousness in Functionalism?

  Shared beliefs and values in society
• Why is crime considered functional in Functionalism?

  It helps define right and wrong behavior
• What happens if collective consciousness is too strong?

  No social change occurs
• What was the public response to Shannon Matthews' abduction?

  A massive police search and media campaign
• What shocking discovery was made about Shannon Matthews?

  She was found drugged and tethered
• How does Functionalism link to crime in the case of Shannon Matthews?

  Crime illustrates social cohesion and response
• What do Marxists believe about crime in a capitalist society?

  Crime is inevitable and used for social control
• How do Marxists view the justice system?

  As a tool for the ruling class to control
• How are different social classes policed according to Marxism?

  The working class is heavily policed
• What does Strain Theory suggest about societal goals?

  Society encourages material success goals
• Who is the theorist associated with Strain Theory?

  Robert Merton
• What do working-class individuals experience according to Strain Theory?

  Feelings of strain and anomie
• What are the options for individuals who cannot achieve their goals?

  Conform, adopt criminal ways, or rebel
• What does Interactionism focus on in criminology?

  How people interact and label each other
• Who is the theorist associated with labelling theory?

  Howard Becker
• What is primary deviance?

  An act not labelled as deviant yet
• What is secondary deviance?

  An act labelled as deviant by society
• How does labelling affect behavior according to Interactionism?

  It can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy
• What is the concept of deviancy amplification?

  Making it harder for deviants to change
• What does Right Realism advocate regarding crime?

  Getting tough on crime and punishment
• Who is the theorist associated with Right Realism?

  Charles Murray
• How does Right Realism view the 'underclass'?

  They contribute to crime through lack of role models
• What does Left Realism focus on regarding crime?

  Marginalisation and relative deprivation
• Who developed Left Realism?

  Jock Young, John Lea, and Roger Matthews
• What is the link between inequality and crime in Left Realism?

  Inequalities lead to crime due to lack of opportunities
• What does Status Frustration theory explain?

  Group response to failure in achieving status
• Who is the theorist associated with Status Frustration?

  Albert Cohen
• How do subcultures provide solutions to status frustration?

  They create alternative status hierarchies
• Who are the theorists associated with subcultures?

  Cloward and Ohlin
• What types of deviant subcultures arise in different neighborhoods?

  Criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures
• How do criminal subcultures operate?

  They provide apprenticeships in utilitarian crime
• What do conflict subcultures focus on?

  Violence and territory among street gangs
• What characterizes retreatist subcultures?

  Made up of dropouts often based on drug use