6.2: What are the Explanations of Crime Notes: 

Sociological Explanations:

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Sociological Explanation: Explains crime through social factors (e.g., status, inequality) rather than biology or psychology.

• Peer Group: Individuals connected by shared age/status; influences norms and behaviour.

• Status Frustration: Occurs when individuals can't achieve socially approved goals due to structural barriers.

• Anomie: Breakdown of shared societal norms; individuals feel disconnected from society.

Functionalism (Durkheim)

• Crime has social functions:

  • Reinforces norms and values

  • Shows when law needs updating

  • Public condemnation strengthens boundaries

• Durkheim’s idea of collective conscience:

  • Shared moral values hold society together

  • Weakens during industrialization/urbanization → leads to anomie

Merton’s Strain Theory

• Based on discrepancy between cultural goals and institutional means

• American Dream pushes for success—but not all can achieve it legally

• Responses to anomie:

Critique: Assumes all share same goals; doesn’t explain expressive or violent crimes

Status Frustration – Albert Cohen

• Young working-class males feel undervalued

• Respond by forming delinquent subcultures with opposing norms

• Focuses on group dynamics, not just individual choices

Socialization and Family Structure

• Poor or unstable families → linked to higher offending

New Right Views (Charles Murray):

• Rise in cohabitation/divorce = weakened social bonds

• Absence of father figures = lack of role models

• Formation of underclass:

  • Preference for welfare/crime over work

  • Short-term relationships, absent father.

  • Breakdown of community → increased crime

• Criticism:

  • Idealizes 1950s family, which was oppressive for women

Marxist Theory of Crime

• Crime reflects class conflict

• Laws serve interests of ruling class (protect property, wealth)

• Working class criminalized more harshly

• False consciousness: Working class tricked into accepting dominant ideology

• Law creation:

  • Ruling class avoids criminalizing their own exploitative acts

  • Health/safety laws can serve capitalist needs (maintaining worker productivity)

• Critique:

  • Some laws benefit all (e.g., civil rights)

  • System may make concessions to prevent revolution

Relative Deprivation & Marginalization

• Material deprivation ≠ guaranteed crime

• Relative deprivation:

  • Feeling disadvantaged compared to others

  • Resentment builds → possible deviance

• Marginalization:

  • No representation or advocacy

  • Frustration can lead to rioting or violence

• Lea & Young:

  • Young, disadvantaged minority males → more crime

  • Victims often from same communities

Labelling Theory – Howard Becker

• Deviance is socially constructed through labeling

• Those in power (judges, teachers) assign labels → labels can stick

• Key Concepts:

  • Master status: Label overshadows all other traits

  • Self-fulfilling prophecy: Labelled person internalizes and acts on it

  • Deviant career: Path formed through rejection and marginalization

• Primary vs. Secondary Deviance:

  • Primary = initial act, often unnoticed

  • Secondary = after public labeling → amplifies deviance

• Rule Creation:

  • Laws arise from “moral entrepreneurs” launching campaigns (e.g., marijuana ban)

  • Media involvement vital in spreading concern

• Criticisms:

  • Ignores original intent of deviant act

  • May romanticize deviance or overlook responsibility

Masculinity and Crime

• Males more likely to commit serious crime

• Hegemonic masculinity:

  • Emotional control, strength, aggression, competition

  • Violence seen as acceptable masculine trait

• Boys socialized to seek dominance → may act out via crime

• Girls face different expectations (e.g., beauty, politeness)

• Critique:

  • Doesn’t apply to all males

  • Overlooks positive masculinity (restraint, protection)

  • Males can choose alternative gender expressions

Defining Crime and Deviance:

Media & Moral Panic

• Public understanding of crime shaped by media

• Despite falling crime rates, people believe crime is rising

• Consequences:

  • Fear-driven behavior (avoiding public spaces)

  • Demand for tougher laws

  • Market for security goods

• Moral Panic (Stanley Cohen):

  • Minor deviance exaggerated

  • Folk devils demonized

  • Media predicts worsening deviance

  • Symbolic identifiers (e.g., clothes, group labels)

  • Leads to deviancy amplification spiral

Sub-Cultures and Deviance

• Developed in response to blocked goals/status frustration

• Sub-cultures reverse dominant norms → earn respect via deviance

Cloward & Ohlin’s Illegitimate Opportunity Structures

• Criminal Sub-culture: Organized crime; role models exist

• Conflict Sub-culture: No criminal pathway → street violence

• Retreatist Sub-culture: Double failure → drug use/withdrawal

• Walter Miller: Working-class culture has deviant tendencies

  • Values include toughness, autonomy, excitement

  • Delinquency stems from normal sub-cultural values

Matza’s Drift Theory:

• Youths oscillate between mainstream and deviant values

• Techniques of neutralization:

  • Deny responsibility (blame alcohol)

  • Deny victim (victim deserved it)

  • Deny harm (they can afford it)

  • Condemn condemners (authorities also deviant)

  • Appeal to higher loyalties (protecting friends)

• Modern sub-cultures (e.g., gangs):

  • Join for identity/purpose

  • Behaviors criminalized (e.g., knife carrying)

  • Marginalization intensifies deviance

NOTES DONE BY FARIDA SABET

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