Critically evaluate Functionalist approaches to crime and deviance - Illustrate your answer with reference to the sub-cultural explanations of juvenile delinquency.
Critically evaluate Functionalist approaches to crime and deviance. Illustrate your answer with reference to the sub-cultural explanations of juvenile delinquency. Functionalism sees the various parts of society to be interrelated, and together they form a complete system. To understand any part of a society, the parts must be seen in relation to society as a whole. Functionalists see behaviour in society to be structured. This means that relationships between members of society are organised in terms of rules. Society is based upon a value consensus that provides guidelines for behaviour that are translated into more specific directives in terms of roles and norms. They see society as having a need for functional pre requisites that need to be met in order for the society to survive. Functionalists look at all societies and say in every, past or present, deviance has always been present. This deviance isn't of interest to sociologists, therefore doesn't have to be sociologically explained. Durkheim argued that crime is an inevitable and normal aspect of social life. This is due to the fact that not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments, since people are exposed to different influences. Therefore it is impossible to be alike. Functionalists see deviance as functional because it is an enduring phenomena- it has always
In relation to mertons strain theory, consider whether crime is the product of blocked opportunities.
IN RELATION TO MERTONS STRAIN THEORY, CONSIDER WHETHER CRIME IS THE PRODUCT OF BLOCKED OPPORTUNITIES. Created by Student: 266648 The basis of Merton's Strain Theory lies with Emile Durkheim and his theory of anomie in so far as 'anomie' is translated as 'deregulation' or 'normlessness'. Durkheim developed the concept of anomie in his book, Suicide, published in 1897 to refer to the lack of social regulation in modern society as one condition that promotes higher rates of suicide. He believed that individuals possessed an unlimited appetite of aspirations and it was up to society to regulate such an appetite. According to Durkheim, the appetites were regulated by the 'collective conscience' of society; meaning people were bound together by their common morals and beliefs. However, if this mechanism failed or was significantly weakened, anomie would occur. An anomic state would unleash in people limitless appetites that could result in a variety of deviant behaviours. It was after reading Durkheim's work that "Merton assigned himself the task of discovering what produces anomie" (Hunt, 1961:58) Robert Merton was a criminologist who applied Durkheim's definition of anomie to modern industrial societies, with specific emphasis on the United States of America, and redefined the term. According to Merton, anomie is the form that social incoherence takes when there is a
Evaluate the subcultural theories of crime
Evaluate the subcultural theories of crime. Subcultural theories of crime and deviance explain deviance in terms of the subculture of a social group. The theories argue that particular groups develop and maintain norms and values that differ from those held by the majority of modern day western society. Robert Merton argues that deviance results not only from 'pathological personalities' but also from the culture and structure of society itself. Merton begins his contention from the standard functionalist position of value consensus, that is, all members of society share the same values. However, since members of society are placed in different positions in the social structure, they do not have the same opportunities as others of realising the shared values. According to Merton, this can cause deviance. "The social and cultural structure generates pressure for socially deviant behaviour upon people variously located in that structure." In using the U.S.A in his example, Merton outlined his theory as follows: members of American society share the major values of American culture, particularly where they share the goal of success, for which they all strive to achieve, and which is largely measured in terms of wealth and material possessions. The "American Dream" states that all members of society have an equal opportunity of achieving success, of owning a Cadillac, a
New Right Realism & New Left Realism. The realist approach to crime treats crime as a real problem.
New Right Realism & New Left Realism The realist approach to crime treats crime as a real problem. This involves finding practical solutions to help repair problems within the criminal justice system and to find solutions to why a certain crime is being committed in the first place, by looking at problematic sources in our society. Interactionists and Marxists would say that crime and deviance is socially constructed, whereas realists see crime as "real" and believe they are more concerned with solving the problem of crime than other critical theories. Both left and right realist approaches were developed as a result of a large increase in crime and public disorders in the 1980's to try and address the problem. Both approaches are critical of non realist approaches, for sympathising and romanticising the criminal, ignoring damage victims have faced and failing to produce practical solutions to crime. New left realism stems from Marxism and Interactionism; Agreeing with Marxism that society is exploitative and unequal. Despite this, it criticises both approaches to crime as they tend to sympathise with the criminals and ignores the damaged caused to the victims of crime. New left realists also accept that the official criminal statistics are biased yet they still argue that members of ethnic minority groups and working class youths are more likely to indulge in criminal
Sociological Theories on Crime and Deviance
CRIME AND DEVIANCE DEFINING DEVIANCE Sociologists define deviance as behaviour that is recognised as violating expected rules and norms. Deviance is more than simple non-conformity; it is behaviour that departs significantly from social expectations. In the sociological perspective on deviance, there is subtlety that distinguishes it from commonsense understandings of the same behaviour. * The sociological definition of deviance stresses social context, not individual behaviour. Sociologists see deviance in terms of group processes, definitions and judgements, not just as unusual individual acts. * The sociological definition of deviance recognises that not all behaviours are judged similarly as all groups. What is deviant to one group may be normative (non-deviant) to another. Understanding what society sees as deviant also requires understanding the context that determines who has the power to judge some behaviours as deviant and others not. * The sociological definition of deviance recognises that established rules and norms are socially created, not just morally decreed or individually imposed. Sociologists emphasise that deviance lies not just in behaviour itself, but also in the social responses of groups to the behaviour. Sociologists distinguish between two types of deviance: formal and informal. Formal deviance is behaviour that breaks laws or official
Critically assess the contribution of labelling theory to an understanding of crime and deviance
Critically assess the contribution of labelling theory to an understanding of crime and deviance Labelling theory is one theory suggested by sociologists as the explanation for crime and deviance. However, several different theories were in existence before the labelling theory came about. First of all there were the biological theories; these stated that the cause of a person acting in a deviant manner was due to a physiological characteristic or quality which they possessed. For example having a mesomorphic body type or having XYY chromosomes were believed to be causes of someone becoming a criminal. Biological theories however are widely criticised as they do not take into account several patterns in the distribution within society of crime and deviance, which statistics show are apparent. For example there is an obvious pattern between social status and criminal convictions; there are many more convictions in the working class communities. However, physiological characteristics are randomly distributed meaning that as many upper class individuals should commit crimes as the lower classes, the biological theories give no explanation to why this is the case. Another point for criticism is the difference in amount of convictions of the old and young, when in reality there are far more younger people commit crimes. If it was a biological factor causing someone to commit
Poor housing and estate design causes crime. Discuss
Poor housing and estate design causes crime. Discuss Firstly, this essay will provide a brief introduction into urban ecology and urbanisation in the USA. The findings of Shaw and McKay's study on the zone of transition and social disorganisation will then be explored as well as the findings of other ecologists who challenged their approach. This essay will then briefly explore the role and effect the media has played in areas associated with criminality. Finally, this essay will look at the work of Newman and Coleman and their attempts to reduce crime solely by making environmental changes. Robert Park, a student at the Chicago School in the late 1800s and later its head borrowed the idea of ecology from biology: the idea that in the natural world plants, animals and other lifeforms exist in a pattern with eachother. Some crops grow better when nearer to others, some insects develop in habitats in which others die. The land is seen as a giant set on connections and inter-relationships - an ecological system. (Barter et al, 2000). An enduring theme in sociological wroting about crime has been the corrupting effect of city life. This view developed particularly strongly during the 19th century when cities were developing rapidly. Environmental criminology examines two main aspects - spacial distribution of offenders and spacial distribution of offences and attempts to
Outline and assess sociological explanations of why some communities are subject to more crime than others,focusing on social class and geographicaland/ or ethnic minority communities.
Outline and assess sociological explanations of why some communities are subject to more crime than others, focusing on social class and geographical and/ or ethnic minority communities. Merton's perspective on Durkheim's 'anomie' has been influential in the sociology of crime and deviance. Similarly, theories such as Albert Cohen's sub cultural theory and the concepts of status frustration and the self- fulfilling prophecy seek to explain why some communities and social strata are subject to more crime than others. Arguably, poverty and inequality are causes inextricably linked with the criminalisation of communities, circumstances which are generally more prevalent in the lives of ethnic minorities and the working classes. Similarly, certain geographical areas face higher poverty than others, internationally and even within Britain itself. According to an investigation by police- immigrant relations in 1972 'black people were more law- abiding than the general population' (Layton Henry 1992). However as time has progressed, relations between ethnic minorities and the police have become increasingly strained, with official statistics and other data supporting the claim that ethnic minorities are proportionally more likely to commit and be the victim of crimes. A case in point is highlighted in the Macpherson Report, produced after the murder of black teenager, Stephen
Examine the connection between crime and drug use, indicating which criminological theories best assist our understanding of drug related crimes.
Examine the connection between crime and drug use, indicating which criminological theories best assist our understanding of drug related crimes. Drugs and crime are of concern to all communities, particularly drug possession, manufacture and trafficking, the involvement of criminal syndicates in the drugs trade, the acquisitive crime committed by drug misusing offenders to feed their habits, and the anti-social behaviour and feeling of menace that the drug culture generates within neighbourhoods. Many police forces estimate that around half of all recorded crime has some drug related element to it, whether in terms of individual consumption or supply of drugs, or the consequent impact of it on criminal behaviour.1 This essay will seek to examine the connection between drugs and crime. It will aim to define what a 'drug' is, the extent to drug use among offenders, the volume of crime committed in order to obtain drugs, or feed drug habits and also the sorts of crimes committees using drugs as an aid e.g. date rape. The use of illegal and legal drugs will be looked at in their connection to crime. This essay will concentrate mainly upon the problem of drug use in relation to crime in the UK, with an occasional consideration of the problem in the USA. It will also indicate which criminological theories best assist our understanding of drug related crimes. Initially, we will
Asses the Marxist Perspective on Crime
Outline and examine the usefulness of the Marxist perspective on crime. In sociology, deviance refers to behaviours or actions which are considered abnormal and undesirable; in other words, they contravene cultural/social norms (for example swearing in public). At a certain point in time, a society may decide that some specific acts are so undesirable that they warrant punishment. When laws are passed against deviant acts, they become crimes (for example murder). In this essay, I will look at the Marxist perspective and how it has contributed to the study and understanding of crime and deviance. Whilst Functionalism is a perspective based on 'value consensus', Marxism holds at its core the theory of conflict and class struggle in society. According to Marx, there is a fundamental division between what he sees are the two classes of society: the capitalists (or bourgeoisie), who own the means of production (e.g. money, property, raw materials - 'capital') and the working-class, who do not own capital. From a Marxist point of view, the proletariat and the bourgeoisie hold conflicting positions - for example, factory workers will inevitably wish for high wages, whilst factory owners will want to maximise their profits by paying workers as little as possible. Marxist criminology is based around the view that crime is a product of the fundamental 'class conflict' in capitalist
