Sociology-crime/devience

• What historical movements exemplify the positive function of deviance?

  The civil rights movement and the women's liberation movement
• What is the importance of social cohesion according to Durkheim?


  Social cohesion is important for maintaining social order and stability.
• What does Durkheim mean when he says crime is normal?


  Durkheim means that crime exists in all societies, even the most perfect ones.
• How does Durkheim view the functionality of crime?


  Durkheim views crime as functional because it serves important purposes in society.
• What are some important purposes of crime according to Durkheim?


  Crime helps define moral boundaries and can lead to social change and innovation.
• What is Durkheim's idea of crime as a boundary-setting mechanism?


  Durkheim believes crime helps define acceptable and unacceptable behavior in society.
• How does crime reinforce social norms according to Durkheim?


  Crime reinforces social norms by uniting people against deviant acts.
• What is the main purpose of punishment according to Durkheim?


  The main purpose of punishment is to reinforce social norms and maintain social cohesion.
• Name 3 writers of the labelling theory:

  Howard Becker, Cicourel and Lemert
• What is the difference of primary and secondary deviance?


  Primary label- goes against the norm

  Secondary label- everyone agrees that the action is deviant
• What is a master label?


  This is your controlling identity.
• According to Cicourel, how do middle class youths escape sentences?


  They negotiate with the law.
• What is a deviant career?


  You do crime instead of having a career through legitimate means.
• What are the stages of labelling according to Howard Becker?


  1. Primary Deviance
  2. Being Caught
  3. Being Labelled
  4. Master label
• What do labelling theorists say about crime statistics?


  Social construction
• According to the labelling theory, crime is caused by?


  Interaction between police and the suspect.
• The labelling theorists favour what approach?


  Interpretive
• What do some sociologists suggest about crime statistics showing that men commit more crimes than women?

  They suggest that these statistics do not reflect reality due to male law enforcement protecting women.
• How might judges and magistrates' perceptions of female offenders differ from male offenders?

  Judges may take pleas for mitigation more seriously when the offender is female.
• What is the broader point about social expectations related to men's "chivalric" values?

  Men may think women are incapable of committing many crimes, affecting their perception of guilt.
• What are the implications of male law enforcement officers' attitudes towards female offenders?

  • Potential leniency in law enforcement actions
  • Influence on crime statistics
  • Impact on judicial decisions regarding female offenders
• What are the consequences of societal expectations on crime and gender?

  • Misrepresentation of crime statistics
  • Gender biases in law enforcement and judicial systems
  • Perception of women's capabilities in committing crimes
• Who came up up with the Chivalry thesis?


  Otto Pollock
• What is criminogenic capitalism?


  Crime is inevitable in capitalism because by its very nature, it causes crime.
• What is the dark figure of crime?

  The difference between official statistics and 'real' crime
• Status frustration:

  Crime and deviance is a result of the lower classes inability to achieve the mainstream goals set by society and so they try to gain status through crime/deviance.
• Rational choice theory?


  Individuals weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of committing crime. If the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, a criminal act is likely.