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Criminology Unit 2 - AC 2.3.
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Criminology Unit 2 - AC 2.3.
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Criminology Unit 2 - AC 2.3What are structural theories? - correct answer-They focus on the structure of society and
how it is organised. Structural theories look at how equal or unequal a society is, what holds
it together and what things cause conflict and division.
They see the structure of society as being the underlying cause of crime
What are Durkheim's key ideas? - correct answer-Functionalists such as Durkheim see
society as a stable structure based on shared norms, values and beliefs about right and
wrong.
This produces social solidarity or integration, where all members of society feel they belong
to the same harmonious unit. Most people conform to society's shared norms and do not
deviate.
Why is crime inevitable? - correct answer-Some crime is inevitable because in every society
some individuals are inadequately socialised and likely to deviate.
Society also contains many social groups, each with different values, so shared rules of
behaviour become less clear. Durkheim calls this 'anomie' (normlessness) - where shared
norms become weakened.
What are the positive functions of crime? - correct answer-Boundary maintenance:
> Crime creates a reaction that unites society's members against the wrongdoer, reminding
them of the boundary between 'right' and 'wrong', and reaffirming their shared rules.
Social change:
> For society to progress, individuals with new ideas must challenge existing norms and
values, and at first this will be seen as deviance (e.g. the Suffragettes campaign for a
woman's right to vote).
Safety valve:
> Minor deviant acts as a safety valve. They divert potentially dangerous motivations into
less harmful channels.
Warning sign:
> Deviance acts as a warning sign.
Protests can draw attention to a particular issue and can lead to measures (e.g. new laws) to
resolve it.
What are Merton's key ideas? - correct answer-For Merton, the root cause of crime lies in the
unequal structure of society. Merton focuses on the USA but his ideas can also be applied to
the UK.
American society values 'money success' or wealth as the goal people should pursue and
tells them they should achieve this through legitimate means (e.g. hard work at school and in
a career).
What are blocked opportunities? - correct answer-However, not everyone has an equal
chance of achieving success legitimately because American society is very unequal.
Opportunities for working-class people are often blocked by poverty, discrimination and
inadequate schools.
, This creates a 'strain' between the goal society says they should achieve and the lack of
legitimate means to do so.
What are adaptations to strain? - correct answer-Conformism - They accept society's goals
and try to achieve them through legitimate means (e.g. qualifications).
Innovation - They accept society's goals but achieve them through utilitarian crime (e.g. drug
dealing).
Ritualism - They give up striving for success. They plod along in a dead-end job.
Retreatism - They are society's dropouts. Merton includes 'vagrants, drunkards and drug
addicts'.
Rebellion - They want to change society. They include political radicals and alternative
cultures (e.g. hippies).
What are delinquent subcultures? - correct answer-Delinquent subcultures are groups whose
norms and values are deviant. Subcultural theories apply Merton's idea of strain between
goals and means. Their key idea is that these subcultures enable their members to gain
status by illegitimate means.
How does Albert Cohen's work relate to Merton's? - correct answer-Cohen agrees with
Merton that deviance results from the lower classes' failure to achieve by legitimate means.
However, for Cohen subcultural deviance as a group response to failure, not just an
individual one. He also focuses on non-utilitarian crimes (ones not for financial gain) such as
vandalism.
What is status frustration? - correct answer-Cohen notes that most boys end up at the
bottom of the school's official status hierarchy.
Teachers may regard them as 'thick' and put them in the lower sets. As a result the boys
suffer from status frustration - a feeling of worthlessness.
What is an alternative status hierarchy? - correct answer-The subculture offers a solution by
providing them with an alternative status hierarchy in which they can win respect from their
peers through delinquent actions.
It inverts society's values (turns them upside down): for example, society respects property,
whereas the boys gain status in the group by vandalising property.
What are Cloward and Ohlin's key ideas? - correct answer-They note that different
neighbourhoods give rise to different types of deviant subcultures. Some areas may have
more opportunities to pursue illegitimate activities (i.e. crime) than others.
What are criminal subcultures? - correct answer-These arise in areas where there is a long
standing professional criminal network. They select suitable youths for an apprenticeship in
crime and a future criminal career.
What are conflict subcultures? - correct answer-These arise in areas where the only criminal
opportunities are within street gangs. Violence provides a release for frustration and a source
of status earned by winning territory from rival gangs.
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