3.1.2.3 Crime and social class

• Crime refers to actions that break formal laws established by a political authority and are punishable by legal sanctions.
• Social class refers to the hierarchical stratification of individuals within a society based on factors such as economic status, occupation, and education.
• Research has consistently shown that crime rates are higher among the lower social classes, particularly the working class and underclass.
• What is a key driver of higher crime rates among the lower social classes?

  Unequal distribution of resources
• What type of social mobility do the upper and middle classes have greater access to?

  Legitimate
• According to strain theory, what do individuals in the lower social classes often face barriers to achieving?

  Socially accepted goals
• What does labeling theory argue can become a self-fulfilling prophecy for individuals from lower classes?

  Criminal label
• Some behaviors can be both crime and deviance, such as murder.


  True
• What do social classes shape for individuals in society?

  Life chances and opportunities
• What is a key factor contributing to crime in lower social classes, according to the explanation of poverty and deprivation?

  Economic hardship
• Order the following sociological theories explaining the relationship between crime and social class based on their explanations.

  1️⃣ Strain Theory: Inability to achieve societal goals leads to crime.

  2️⃣ Subcultural Theory: Lower classes develop alternative value systems.

  3️⃣ Labeling Theory: Societal labeling reinforces criminal behavior.
• Individuals from the working class and underclass have higher rates of violent and property crimes
• Surveys in sociological research on crime and social class provide standardized data for analysis
• All crimes are considered deviant behaviors.

  False
• The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities across social classes is a key driver of higher crime rates among the lower social strata.


  True
• Poverty and deprivation can drive individuals in the lower social classes towards criminal activities.


  True
• Match the factor with its explanation:

  Poverty and Deprivation ↔️ Lack of resources drives crime

  Lack of Opportunities ↔️ Fewer legal avenues for success

  Differential Association ↔️ Exposure to criminal subcultures
• Subcultural theory argues that lower classes develop alternative value systems that normalize criminal behavior.

  True
• What is the difference between crime and deviance in sociology?

  Violations of laws vs norms
• Match the social class with its characteristics:

  Upper Class ↔️ High income, exclusive networks

  Middle Class ↔️ Comfortable income, homeownership

  Working Class ↔️ Modest income, financial insecurity

  Underclass ↔️ Low income, dependence on welfare
• Individuals in the lower classes are more likely to be exposed to criminal subcultures due to differential association
• What does statistical evidence from crime surveys indicate about the relationship between social class and crime rates?

  Strong correlation
• What are key sociological methods used to study the relationship between crime and social class?

  Surveys, interviews, observation, statistics
• Match the research method with its weakness:

  Surveys ↔️ May lack depth

  Interviews ↔️ Time-consuming

  Participant Observation ↔️ Researcher bias

  Official Statistics ↔️ Reflects biases
• Some behaviors may be both crime and deviance, such as murder, which violates both laws and societal norms.
• Match the social class with its typical characteristics:

  Upper Class ↔️ High income and wealth

  Middle Class ↔️ Comfortable income and homeownership

  Working Class ↔️ Modest income and manual labor

  Underclass ↔️ Low income and limited education
• Order the factors contributing to the correlation between crime and social class based on their primary focus:

  1️⃣ Poverty and Deprivation

  2️⃣ Lack of Opportunities

  3️⃣ Differential Association
• Crime rates are higher among the lower social classes, particularly the working class and
• Individuals in the lower classes are more likely to associate with criminal subcultures
• Strain theory suggests that frustration and strain can lead to criminal activities
• Match the theory with its explanation:

  Strain Theory ↔️ Barriers to success create frustration

  Subcultural Theory ↔️ Alternative values normalize crime

  Labeling Theory ↔️ Criminal labels reinforce behavior
• Social class stratification is based on factors such as economic status, occupation, and education
• Research has consistently shown that crime rates are higher among the lower social classes
• The upper and middle classes have greater social mobility and access to legitimate means of success compared to the lower classes.


  True
• Match the sociological theory with its key concept:

  Strain Theory ↔️ Lack of opportunities

  Subcultural Theory ↔️ Deviant subcultures

  Labeling Theory ↔️ Self-fulfilling prophecy
• Statistical patterns imply a direct causal relationship between social class and crime.

  False
• Interviews in sociological research on crime and social class allow for in-depth insights and follow-up questions.


  True