How useful are Sociological Theories in explaining crime and the control of crime? Consider the implications for contemporary probation practice?
Criminology How useful are Sociological Theories in explaining crime and the control of crime? Consider the implications for contemporary probation practice? This paper seeks to explore the usefulness of Sociological Theories in explaining crime and whether in doing so there arises implications for probation practice. I shall begin by providing a brief explanation for the historical development of criminological thinking, starting with Classicism and moving onto Positivism both which lay the foundations for the development of sociological theories in the 1960's and 1970's. Analysis of the literature has highlighted the vast array of theories to which my attention will be paid. However, due to the limitations of this piece of work and in order to provide an in-depth account of the usefulness of particular theories I have chosen to focus on two; Labelling Theory and Subcultural Theory. I will provide a thorough account of how they attempt to explain crime and how offenders are propelled into crime and the usefulness of such theories. Finally my analysis will focus on the role of these when working with offenders and will highlight the implications for probation practice. Different writers have attempted to construct historical connections for the development of criminology. I will begin with the emergence of Classicism, which grew out of the Enlightenment movement in the
Evaluate the Significance of Sociology To Understanding Social Work Practice
EVALUATE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIOLOGY TO UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE This essay will examine the significance of sociology and the importance of a good understanding of the society in which we live. This essay will also provide an understanding of what sociology is, and an insight into each perspective in relation to a particular concept and some of the social problems surrounding it. It will identify how an understanding of sociology is useful in helping social workers understand, evaluate and resolve the potential problems faced by their client groups, and will assess the importance of sociology in social work practice. Sociology differs to psychology, in as much as psychology studies the individual and that individual's reactions and involvement within society. Sociology concentrates its approach on a much wider level, looking at the bigger picture. Giddens (1989:18) reports that the study of sociology offers the individual an opportunity to detach oneself from preconceived ideas about social life, however it does pose specific problems, mainly because of the complex problems involved in subjecting our own behaviour to study. It is hard to be objective which you are directly involved in, and later on in the essay, it is apparent how this has influenced, and biased some perspectives. Sociology developed as a science in the late 1700s. It was initially a way
How far does Becker's account (The Outsiders 1963) of the processes underlying the selective enforcement of criminal law help us to understand and explain the policing of domestic violence and white collar crime?
IMAGES OF CRIME Assessed Coursework Module Code: CL2351 Student Number: 010 383 313 Question: How far does Becker's account (The Outsiders 1963) of the processes underlying the selective enforcement of criminal law help us to understand and explain the policing of domestic violence and white collar crime? In order to answer this question it is important to look at certain aspects of the 'Images of Crime'. Crime is not always what it is portrayed to be, it is something that happens everyday and most people commit some sort of crime at some point in their existence. Crimes can vary from those such as murdering a person to speeding on the motorway. Criminal activity has not always been enforced in the same way, some crimes are more 'acceptable' and others are less 'acceptable'. The people who determine the level of acceptability are both societies in general and also the police as an enforcement unit. On the topics of domestic violence and white-collar crime, selective enforcement is seen on a greater scale. This essay will examine the reasons why these are viewed and reacted to in a different manner. In the book The Outsiders (1963) by Howard S. Becker, a famous criminologist, the author has a school of thought on deviance and society's reactions towards rule breaking. This was very useful when tackling the essay, because he gives a point of view in regards to selective
Rocess of Conflict Resolution in Participatory Forest Management - A Case Study from Sarugarh, North Bengal, India.
Process of Conflict Resolution in Participatory Forest Management A Case Study from Sarugarh, North Bengal, India S. B. Roy?, Ganesh Yadav ?and Raktima Mukherjee? Conflict and cooperation characterize societies of any social animals particularly of human beings. In its extreme animalistic form conflict calls for complete annihilation or elimination of the opposition. On the other hand, cooperation may take the form of unquestioning obedience and servitude. The extreme animalistic forms are evident in the primitive and authoritarian societies. To ensure dynamism and sustaining progress human societies need democracy and popular participation that is neither violent nor servile. Only men are capable of conflict resolution in this non-animalistic way to the point of equilibrium. Then, of course, newer issues of conflict will arise to be resolved in the same way. Democracy and development will thus move on in tandem. When individuals or groups competing for a scarce resource not only try to block others from reaching it but also attempt to neutralize, injure, or eliminate their rivals, conflict occurs (Coser, 1956:8). Where conflict is intense, these attempts to block others may result in overt hostility, injury, defeat, or even annihilation. Conflict between the superpowers, for example, carries the threat of nuclear disaster and the potential destruction of society. A
Use sociological terminology to describe the principle sociological perspectives. Describe the different concepts of health:
P1: use sociological terminology to describe the principle sociological perspectives. The first two perspectives I will describe are the structuralist theories. The theorists for sociological structures are interested in describing and gaining an understanding the main norms and institutions in society. In modern Britain these institutions could include the health services, education providers and the media. The first two approaches I will explain are the functionalist (consensus) model and the Marxist (conflict) model. The functionalist model: The functionalist approach can be dated back as early as Auguste Comte 1798 - 1857. It could be easier to understand his approach by relating it to the body and it consequent parts. For example, the liver, kidneys and the heart work together to make the body function as a whole, therefore society could be studied in terms of the institutions working together to make the it function. The different institutions in society contribute different things; they all work together and have different ways of coping with people who deviate from the norm. For example, the police arrest and imprison those who commit offences and break the law. Functionalists think it is the main role of an institution to socialise individuals and to ensure they knew the values of society and behaved in a socially acceptable manner. The Marxist model:
Psychology - The Self Concept
Psychology - the self concept "I really cannot bear to be with someone who is fat. To me they represent everything that shows greed, a lack of control, ugliness. Yes, I do try and control what my eight- year-old daughter eats because I don't want her to be plump like I was and always being teased." (Yvonne. A young mother) The wording of the above statement is very strong and extremely personal. Yvonne says she cannot even bear to be with anybody who is fat which obviously shows her strong dislike to over-weight people. To Yvonne, a fat person represents 'greed, a lack of control, ugliness' which clearly shows that obesity is linked with greed in her mind. Yvonne hates fat people to such an extent she is controlling what her eight year old daughter eats to ensure she does not become fat. Yvonne is not just advising and allowing her daughter to make her own mind up, but actually controlling what she eats. Yvonne is doing this an attempt to stop her daughter getting fat and being bullied like she because she was over-weight when she was younger. In order to understand why Yvonne feels she has to control her daughter in this way, we must look at how Yvonne's self concept has been formed. The self concept is defined by Baumeister (1995 cited in Eysenck 2002) as "The total organised body of information that any given person has about him or herself." Both the terms
Sociological perspective for health and social care. Concepts of Health and Ill health.
Unit 7: sociological perspectives for health and social care P1) Use sociological terminology to describe the principal sociological perspectives. The principal of sociological perspective are: Functionalism- an important part of some accounts of functionalism is the idea of multiples realizability. Since, according to standard functionalist theories, mental states are the corresponding functional role, mental states can be sufficiently explained without taking into account the underlying physical medium (e.g. the brain, neurons, etc.) that realizes such states; one need only take into account the higher-level functions in the cognitive system. Marxism- is an economic political theory by which law is considered an instrument of oppression and control, and which the ruling class uses against the working class. Marxism holds at its core a critical analysis of capitalism and a theory of social change. The powerful and innovative analytical methods Marx introduced have influenced a broad range of disciplines. Feminism- has altered predominant perspectives in a wide range of areas within Western society, ranging from culture to law. Feminist activists have campaigned for women's legal rights (rights of contract, property rights, voting rights); for women's right to bodily integrity and autonomy, for abortion rights, and for reproductive rights (including access to
Use sociological terminology to describe the principal sociological perspectives.
Use sociological terminology to describe the principal sociological perspectives. P1 Bukola Adedeji Sociology is based on the idea that just a little of an individual's behaviour is instinctive and the rest is learnt by socialisation. Socialisation shows the process in which individuals learn the culture of their society which language, values and beliefs, customs and acceptable behaviour. Primary socialisation is apparently the most important period of socialisation and it takes place in an individual's early years. Secondary socialisation carries on as our social life develops through playgroups, nursery, school, friendship or peer groups, religious groups, the media and employment. Functionalism Functionalist perspectives view illness as a form of deviance and ill people are seen as performing a social role - sick role. If people are declared ill, specific right and responsibility comes with this new role. The rights associated with the sick role include * To be exempt from normal social obligation * To be cared for Responsibility * Taking all the steps to get better * Co-operating with medical staff to get better The functionalist view is that illness has a social consequence and must be swiftly dealt with, where possible, for the smooth running of society Marxism Marxist perspectives believe that the definitions of health and illness, and the health and
What are the general Arguments of two main theoretical perspectives on gender inequality V functional analysis and conflict analysis?
To: Dr. Richard Lam Cheung Fm: Group 6 CLASS: SOCIOLOGY 101 SECTION 4 TOPIC What are the general Arguments of two main theoretical perspectives on gender inequality - functional analysis and conflict analysis? If you were a functionalist, what would you say should be done, if any, about gender inequality in Hong Kong? As a conflict theorist, what would you say, if any, should be done in Hong Kong? Explain? Group Members: Student Name Student Nr Lam Wing Leung 020023 Lui Chi Wai 020006 Lee Chung Man 020024 Wong Wing To 020014 Fung Ka Chun 020010 Wong Ka Hong Desmond 020018 Lee Sun wah Hermony 020012 CONTENTS . Introduction 3 Research Problem: 3 Objective: 3 Methodology: 3 Approach: 3 Remarks/Legends: 4 2. General Arguments towards Gender Inequality 5 A. Functionalism 5 B. Conflicts Theory 6 3. Gender Inequality in Hong Kong 8 A. Education 8 B. Employment & Incomes 11 C. Human Rights & Politics 16 4. Ideas for Improving Gender Inequality 18 A. Functionalists 18 B. Conflict Theorists 18 A. Bibliography 19 B. Appendices 20 Appendix 1: List of Executive Councilors in Hong Kong(BTT) 20 Appendix 2: List of Universities in Hong Kong & the Headmasters' Gender(BTT) 20 Appendix 3: List of Legisilative Councillors in Hong Kong(BTT) 21 Appendix 4: Table studied under Thematic Report - Women and Men, Population Census 2001, Hong
How does the media represent female bodies?
Sociology Coursework How does the media represent female bodies? My Rationale Aim - I intend to examine how the media represents female bodies. I chose this area of sociology to study because I found the recent debate about the media's portrayal of women and the decision of the Madrid Fashion Week in October 2006 to ban size zero (UK size four) models very interesting. Media empires such as those controlled by the Murdock family and EMAP have become increasingly powerful and their focus on celebrities and their promotion of a western ideal of beauty have only become recent topics of research. Personally, I hold the view that the overemphasis on body size by the media can have a very negative affect on women's body image. This could be a factor in the development of eating disorders and low self confidence in those most vulnerable. As a teenager I have grown up in an era in which celebrity magazines commend slim bodies and ridicule anything that does not fit that image with red circles of shame pointing out any imperfections. However even though I have a strong personal view on this topic I will try to minimise bias when undertaking this study. I have decided to use content analysis as my method because I think it will be simple and effective to do and I can obtain clear results with minimal bias. However unlike interviews it will be difficult to achieve in-depth
