explanation of Sociological theories of crime
Social structure theories includes, marxism, functionalism, merton strain theory
interactionist theories includes, labelling theory
realist theories include, right realism, left realism
Sociological theories of crime
Social structure theories
definition = idea that social class is the main cause of criminal behaviour, result of unfavourable conditions
(unemployment, Single parent families, poverty)
Marxism
believes Society is divided into two by capitalism.
• bourgeoisie - own means of production
• proletariat - labourers exploited by capitalists
Marxists see bourgeoisie as holding all the power
Believing that the legal system and police serve the interests of the bourgeoisie
Three main elements to the law and crime from the Marxist perspective:
1. Capitalism causes crime
- Crime is inevitable, encouraged by capitalism
- Capitalism encourages and promotes a lifestyle of materialistic goods that not everybody can achieve,
causing people to turn to crim in order to achieve the goods
- “Dog eat system” capitalism promotes greed, leads to corporate crimes, tax evasion/fraud
2. Law making and law enforcement are biased
Chambliss argues that laws are made to protect the private property that belongs to the rich
Laws against homeless squatting - No laws on owning multiple houses
Believed that the law is enforced selectively
Laws enforced on the working class that commit crimes (street crimes) more than the white-collar crimes
3. Crime and the law perform ideological functions
Selective law enforcement makes it seem as if the working classes commit crime at a much higher rate,
leads to the working blaming their issues on the working class
No attention on the crime from the bourgeoisie as focus on working class crime
, Functionalism
- Durkheim
• Functionalists believe in a functioning society there is shared norms, values and beliefs about what is
right and wrong
• They believe this creates social solidarity, creating a sense of community and integration, which
makes everyone feel valued
• Most people don’t deviate from these, anyone who does deviate from the consensus is considered
criminal
crime is inevitable:
not everyone is adequately socialised, therefore not exposed to the shared norms, values nd beliefs about
what it right and wrong
subcultures have a different set of shared norms, values and beliefs – Durkheim refers to this as “anomie”
shared norms become weakened
Durkheim states there are four functions of crime:
1. Boundary maintenance
Crime and deviance remind us of the boundary between right and wrong
keeping society in check by reminding us that crime is punished
Solidarity within society when someone deviates from the consensus
2. Social chance
Challenging laws to enable society to progress
Sometimes societies norms, and values need to be challenged, and change for the better
e.g. nelson Mandela speaking out against apartheid in south Africa
3. Safety valve
Allows for the expression of impulses without disruption of institutions of society
Davis argues = pornography and prostitution can release a man’s sexual frustrations without threatening the
nuclear family
4. Warning light
Crime can serve as a warning light
Showing that society isn't functioning properly and there is something wrong – e.g. riots
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