crime and deviance

• functionalism view of crime- crime can be functional - boundary maintenance and collective sentiments

  Durkheim- crime happens at times of high anomie

  Merton- crime caused by strain - several reactions to strain which are criminal e.g innovation
• Marxism view on crime

  The ruling class run the criminal justice system and use it to protect their own interests

  Engels- most laws protect property

  Chambliss- differential enforcement of the law- police focus on working class crime ignoring middle class and ruling class crime- occupational and corporate crime
• -feminists view on crime

  • They believe the criminal justice system is patriarchal
  • Heidensohn- female conformity
  • McRobbie- Gender socialization is why women commit less crime
  • Descombe disagrees- Ladettes
  • Pollack suggests the chivalry thesis explains differences
  • Gender roles and employment patterns can also be key factors
• -New right view on crime

  Murray-crime caused by the underclass who live in a culture of poverty and a cycle of deprivation

  Street crime committed to fund lifestyles

  Police should use zero tolerance approaches to crime
• -Interactionalism view on crime

  Becker- labelling leads to a master status of criminal-which leads to a self fulfilling prophecy of deviant career

  Crimes are the only things labelled as such by society
• -Subcultural theory on crime

  A. Cohen - status frustration amongst male working class number of subcultures

  S. Cohen- Media amplifies deviance which leads to moral panics and the creation of folk devils
• what is anomie?

  a state of normlessness in society where people can feel detached from society and its norms and values. if anomie exists in society , crime rates will be higher - talked about by Durkheim and Merton - both functionalists
• what is the term collective sentiments

  how we are reminded about social norms when a terrible crime is committed. We come together in expressing disapproval - talked about by Durkheim who is a functionalist
• what is strain theory?

  anomie is created through strain- between peoples goals and means of achieving them. They respond in five ways - 3 can be criminal- innovation, retreatism and rebellion - talked about by merton
• what is white collar crime

  crimes committed by those in powerful positions e.g MPs expenses scandal. Only associated with the middle class. Chambliss conducted a study on white collar crime in the US- Talked about by Chambliss.
• What is differential enforcement of the law

  the way police focus more attention on crimes committed by the working class ( which tend to be more visible) than they do for the middle class, white collar crime ( which can be easily hidden) - talked about by chambliss who is a marxist
• what is female conformity

  all through their lives women are socialized to do what they are told. This is a result of patriarchy and limits female freedom/opportunities for women to commit crime - particularly occupational crime - talked about by Heidensohn - a feminist
• What is crimes of the powerless

  Female crime linked to poverty and desperation - women who commit crime have weak bonds with society and nothing else to lose. - study on 39 women with criminal convictions- talked about by Carlen
• What is the Chivalry Thesis

  Women get treated more leniently by agents of social control. Male police officers might see female criminals as damsels in distress. - Talked about by Pollack - compare with feminism but NOT feminist
• What is the Culture of Poverty

  The idea that the poorest in society have their own norms e.g crime and values - rejection of laws. Crimes committed because of poverty e.g theft, burglary and mugging- Talked about by Murray who is a New Right
• What is Delinquency

  Anti social behavior and petty crime associated with young people - Talked about by Albert Cohen- a subcultural theory
• What is status frustration

  Delinquent subcultures made up of deprived young people who lack legitimate opportunities in society ( poor grades, no work) and are frustrated with their situation so return to crime to get what they want. - Talked about by Albert Cohen a subcultural theory
• What is moral panic

  The way that certain crimes are reported on an exaggerated and disproportionate way. May create scapegoats ( folk devils) of those involved e.g. violence between the youth and mod rockers in the 1960s. - Talked about by Stan Cohen- subcultural theory
• What is labelling in crime

  How people are categorised by others - often due to stereotypes. Labels can have a powerful consequence such as self-fulfilling prophecy where people might live up to the labels attached to them. - Becker - interactionalist
• What is master status

  The most powerful form of label - They key thing associated to someone which makes up their identity e.g criminal - Becker - interactionalist
• What is deviant career?

  Some criminals find that their master status prevents them from legitimate work, so they may turn to criminal ways to make a living. Can be chosen or forced to turn this deviant career into a lifestyle-Becker interactionalist
• What is a typical offender ?

  Stereotypes and labels create an image of a typical criminal. However interactionalist say no such thing exists