Jan 17, 2018
Start:How useful are our approaches to Crime &
Deviance?
Functionalism Interactionism Subcultural Theory Marxism New
Criminology (AFSTOD) RANK and Justify On a scale of 1 10 (most
useful) Functionalism Durkheim Crime is innevitable
Crime has positive functions Boundary Maintenance Change and
Adaptation Warning Function Social bonds Safety Valve Merton Strain
to Anomie Five Adaptations Albert Cohen Status Frustration Cloward
and Ohlin Opportunity Structures Walter Miller Focal Concerns
Labelling Theory Primary Deviance Secondary Deviance Master
Status
Self-concept Self-fulfilling prophecy Deviant Career Deviant
Subculture Deviance Amplification Braithwaite Reintegrative shaming
Circoural Negotiation of Justice Jock Young Study of Hippies Stan
Cohen Folk Devils and Moral Panics Angela Davis, former leader of
the Black Panthers said:
The real criminals in this society are not all the people who
populate the prisons across the state, but those people who have
stolen the wealth of the world from the people. Angela Davis later
became a prison abolitionist suggesting that prisons should be
abolished, and alternative forms of punishment were needed Marxist
Approaches Criminogenic Capitalism
Crime fuelled by inequality, consumerism and alienation Crime is
rational response to K. Found in all classes. Official statistics
over represent WC crime White Collar Crime Law is selectively
enforced Ideological Functions of Crime and Law New Critical
Criminology AFSTOD Policing the Crises (Stuart Hall) Policing the
crisis Stuart Hall
Neo-Marxism on crime A fully social theory of deviance combining
Marxism and labelling theory Ian Taylor, Paul Walton and Jock Young
(1973) 1.The wider origins of the deviant act. 2.The immediate
origins of the deviant act. 3.The act itself. 4.The immediate
origins of social reaction. 5.The wider origins of social reaction.
6.The effects of labelling. Policing the crisis Stuart Hall 1.The
1970s was a period of considerable social crisis in Britain, the
result of an international downturn in capitalist economies. 2.This
turmoil was shown in a number of inner-city riots, conflict in
Northern Ireland and a high level of strikes.The government was
searching for a group that could be scapegoated, to draw attention
onto them and away from the crisis. 3.Mugging which according to
the police was more likely to be carried out by those from
African-Caribbean backgrounds. 4.Media outrage at the extent of
muggings, linked to racism amongst the Metropolitan police. 5.The
need to find scapegoats and the ease with which young men from
African-Caribbean's backgrounds could be blamed. 6. A sense of
injustice amongst ethnic minorities against the police led to much
hostility between them and further arrests. Taylor, Walton &
Young 1973) Adopt a Neo-Marxist Approach.
The New Criminology Adopt a Neo-Marxist Approach. K. Is based on
exploitation, class conflict and inequality. The state makes and
enforces laws in the interests of the K. class. K. Should be
replaced by socialism to rid society of crime Critical Criminology
The New Criminology
Critical of traditional Marxist approach K. forces people to be
criminal. Critical of other theories anomie, subculture, biology.
TOO DETERMINISTIC. People have free will. New criminology combines
Marxism and Interactionism. Crime is a meaningful action within an
unequal society. A fully social theory of deviance vii. The
relationship between these different aspects of deviance should be
studied, so that they fuse together into a complete theory. Apply
the seven stages in Taylor, Walton and Youngs Fully Social Theory
of Deviance to the following case studies: MPs expenses. Baby P.
London Riots. Gun Crime. Delhi Bus Sexual Assault. Apply the seven
stages to your case study. Give a brief presentation on this to us
all. New Criminology Stuart Hall Policing the Crises merges Marxism
and Moral Panics. Video clip? Policing the Crisis, Hall et al
argued that
Policing the Crisis, Hall et al argued that * the state
manufactures a crime problem; * justifies strengthening its control
over the population; * certain groups such as young black men, in
particular are heavily criminalized so they can be heavily
controlled. Policing the Crisis Stuart Hall (1978) Mugging
The societal reaction to mugging during the 1970s in Britain, was
the result of a moral panic.Hall argued it must be looked at from
the wider context of capitalism and the class system. Partly as a
result of racism, the first generation of African-Caribbean
migrants were the most disadvantaged members of the working class
low paid jobs etc. Theories have suggested that 20 years after mass
immigration, issues and tensions with the second generation can
arise. The second generation children are British born, but often
not treated as such.Yet many have no connection to their supposed
home country. Black youth were less willing than their parents to
accept this inequality (sometimes causing family rifts in the
process). Some turned to petty crime - mugging became a survival
strategy. Think about what mugging represents.It is literally the
most basic and simple of crimes.What does it suggest? The Black
Mugger Between August 1972 and August 1973 there were 60 mugging
incidents Pictured Black youth creating mindless havoc in inner
cities Mugging was not, however, new; neither was it growing at
such a fast rate in fact it was less than half the rate in the
1960s Hall et al saw it as a moral panic The Wider Picture This
crisis must be seen in context problems of British capitalism in
the early 1970s 1945 full employment, rising living standards,
growth of welfare services working class accepted the authority of
the state 1970s rising unemployment, slowing of living standards,
halt to the expansion of welfare services The stability of society
was challenged by lawlessness with the focus being on the Black
mugger: There was therefore a division of the working class on
racial grounds; therefore weakening the challenge to the state
State re-earned its power by stamping out the problem The Result?
Police targeted this crime.
Random stop and searches increased. Unjustified questioned this
approach, sometimes with verbal abuse or violence. Led to their
arrest. The result was deviancy amplification. More arrests = more
justification of police resources targeting young Black men =
further headlines for the newspapers. Critique of Stuart Hall
Contradiction in his analysis.On the one hand, claims that black
men and no more criminal than any other group but just victims of
labelling.On the other hand,black crime rate was bound to rise due
to inequalities of K. Evaluation of Neo-Marxist Approaches
Blended theory which uses both structural and action approaches.
Fills in the gaps in labelling and traditional Marxist views.
Gender blind focuses on male criminality. Romanticises
working-class criminals as Robin Hoods who are fighting K. Do not
take the effects of street crime seriously. Too idealistic in its
solutions for crime. However, laid the foundations for other
critical approaches Left Realism Quick Questions What is meant by
criminogenic?
Identify 3 ways in which K. is criminogenic. How is crime and law
ideological? What is the critique made by New Criminologists of
Traditional Marxist views? Why has criminology been accused of
being idealistic? How does Hall explain the phenomenon of the black
mugger. Assessment Questions Examine some of the ways in which
Marxists explain crime. (12 marks) Assess different Marxist views
of the relationship between crime and social class. (21 marks) Jun
12 Assess the view that crime is functional, innevitable and
normal. (21 marks) What is the role of law in a capitalist society,
according to the Marxist approach. (12 marks) Realist Approaches
Realist approaches reject that crime is simply a social
construction.Instead they see it as a REAL problem that must be
tackled.Realist theories have attempted to influence criminal
policy. There has been a significant rise in crime (especially,
street crime) There should be more concern about the fear of crime
and victims. Realistic solutions are needed to solve crime. Two
forms of realism have emerged.
Right Realism. Emerged in 1970s as part of the New Right. Favours
tough / zero tolerance. Left Realism Developed as a reaction to
Right Realism. Left-wing and social approaches. Right Realism Key
ideas
The root cause of crime is biology and poor socialisation as people
make a rational choice to commit crime. The solution is more formal
social control such as harsher prison sentences, zero tolerance
policies and more CCTV. Biology Wilson and Hernstein suggest some
people are innately more strongly predisposed to commit crime than
others. Especially those who have personality traits like
aggression, risk taking and low impulse control. Charles Murray
(1990) Argues most crime is committed by the underclass
(unemployed).A recent upsurge in lone-parent families has led to
poor socialisation and encouraged these people to be welfare
dependant. Criticisms Doesnt explain white collar crime or domestic
violence. Ignores issues like poverty. Scapegoats the underclass.
Overstates the role of rationality. Crime displaced to other areas.
Right Realism Rational Choice theory Ron Clarke (1980)suggests that
people rationalise their choice to commit crime by weighing up the
cost vs benefits.If the benefits (money) outweigh the costs
(prison) then they will commit crime. Tackling crime Make crime
less attractive to criminals by (formal control):- Zero tolerance
harsh sentences broken window. Target hardening make it difficult
to access private and public buildings. More surveillance CCTV.
What is the New Right All about?
Right Realism What is the New Right All about? Emerged in the 1970s
and 1980s with the political shift to the right Margaret Thatcher
Ronald Reagan Right Realism These governments favoured rolling back
the welfare state together with a strong commitment to law and
order. They favoured a get tough stance on crime, with increased
use of prison (and in the USA, the death penalty) and a short,
sharp shock approach to dealing with young offenders. Watch the
video Copy the following bullet points and try to address them in
the course of the video. What do Right Realists believe causes
crime? How do they try to combat crime? Who are the Right Realists?
What problems are associated? (Criticisms) Right realism identifies
the following four causes to influence crime:
People choose to commit crime by weighing up the pros and cons.
Muscular Low Intelligent Males Muscular Low Intelligent Males 1.
Bio-Social 4. Choice Causes of Crime 3. Opportunity 2. Cultural
Greater opportunity to commit crime exists in some areas - SPF -
Welfare Dependency Poor Schools Lack of Community Right Realism
Causes of Crime
Biological Differences (James Q. Wilson and Richard J Hernnstein
(1985)) Some people are biologically predisposed to crime.They are
more aggressive, take more risks and may have poor decision
making.Criminals have low intelligence which is biologically
determined. 2. Socialisaton and the Underclass
Primary Socialisation teaches us self control, we internalise moral
values of right and wrong.The best place for this is the nuclear
family. Charles Murray (1990) The Underclass
Argues that an underclass of poorly socialised children grow up to
cause deviant/criminal behaviour. Murray blames the growth of such
groups in the West on overly generouswelfare benefits People have
become too dependent on the nanny state Combined with family
breakdown this has meant that:Lone parent families have
increased.Males no longer take responsibility for providing for
their families. Absent fathers mean boys lack appropriate role
models. Murray sees this as a threat to the cohesion of society 3.
Opportunities for crime
Wilson and Kelling:Broken Windows Theory (1982) If there is no
formal or informal social control in an area then crime flourishes,
Broken Windows If a building is left with a single broken window,
more will be broken. Crime will flourish, because people will see
the broken windows and realise that this is a lawless area where
anti-social behaviour goes unchallenged.Mend the window ASAP.
Broken Window Theory 4. Choice: Rational Choice Theory
Clarke (1980) sees the concept of rational choice to show that the
decision to commit a crime or not is made on a calculation of the
likely consequences. Crime occurs because REWARDS outweigh the
COSTS. Therefore punishments need to be harsher to deter crime.
Routine Activities Theory (RAT)
(Cohen & Felson 1979) 1) A suitable target is available &
attractive (object or person) 2) There is the lack of a suitable
guardian to prevent the crime from happening (e.g., Police,
homeowner) 3)A likely and motivated offender is present. Right
Realism Tackling Crime
Not fruitful to tackle the causes of crime better to focus on the
consequences of crime control, containment, punishment. Right
Realism Tackling Crime.
Reducing the underclass (cutting benefits) Reducing the
opportunities for crime (target hardening, situational crime
prevention) Reducing the rewards of crime (harsher punishments)
Zero tolerance (treating even minor crimes with a greater
magnitude) Zero Tolerance Policing
In line with the mend things straight away mentality. This approach
means that the Police crack down hard on any areas of deviance even
when seemingly trivial. Using the old saying give em an inch..and
theyll take a mile. New York City in the 1990s was seen as a good
example of this in operation. Designing-out crime
Crime prevention strategy Reshaping an environment to reduce
opportunities for crime of deviant behaviour Felson (1998) uses the
example of New Yorks Port Authority bus terminal It was poorly
designed and feature many opportunities for crime. Sixty-three
interventions were made at the terminal, at about the same
time.
The toilets were a target for luggage thieves, drug users/dealers,
rough sleepers and those seeking homosexual liaisons Other
initiatives in New York...
Subway graffiti crackdown: In the early 90s, an initiative to
eradicated the subway system of graffiti was launched. Trains were
reconditioned, painted and cleaned. If graffiti occurred, the train
was taken out of service and cleaned immediately. Broken windows
theory applied. As such the crime, and other subway crimes have
largely disappeared. People know that such anti-social behaviour
will not go unnoticed or unchallenged. Ante-rooms (mini-hallways)
between the bus terminal and bathrooms also were hubs for muggings,
drug deals etc Felson got rid of these. Lighting was changed, made
brighter. Other situational crime prevention techniques... Think
about designing out crime...
In a clothes store Supermarket School Evaluation of Right
Realism
Ignores wider structural causes such as poverty. Overstates
offender rationality (violent crime). Deterministic (Biology)
Focuses too much on street crime and ignores white collar crime.
Zero Tolerance Police often discriminate against Ethnic Minority
groups. Fails to tackle underlying causes of crime. Also... What do
you think about Project Prevention?
What do you think about Project Prevention? Right Realism:
Solutions to Crime
CCTV More Police officers on the streets Harsher punishments Zero
tolerance:3 strikes and out in the US Evaluation of Right
Realism
The New Right has a common sense like appeal but many see its
recommendations as simplistic and unworkable. It refers to a Golden
Age which never really existed. Stronger punishments lead to
decreases in some crimes but increases in others e.g. in UK
property crime has declined at the expense of violence against the
person. Harsher punishments mean MORE prison sentences and LONGER
sentences.This has lead to FULLER prisons.Is prison
effective?Recidivism rates are very high. Key Terms Broken Windows
Theory Rational Choice Theory
Routine Activities Theory Situational crime prevention Underclass
Zero tolerance Target hardening Left Realism Key ideas The root
cause of crime is Relative deprivation, marginalisation and
exclusion in modern society. The solution is more informal social
control such as better housing, more job opportunities and more
democratic policing. The offenders Young and Lea argue that most
crime is committed by W/C against the W/C.This is due to discontent
caused by relative deprivation (judging your status by that of
others) and individualism (being self-interested). Marginalisation
Marginalised groups are those who lack clear goals or
representation.Young W/C are powerless and unrepresented which
leads to violence and rioting. Left Realism Criticisms Doesnt
explain white collar crime or domestic violence. Minimum wage and
housing conditions have never been better. M/C could be relatively
deprived and individualistic, yet dont commit as much crime.
Impossible to get rid of relative deprivation. Modern society and
exclusion A lack of jobs for the W/C and being out priced of the
property market has left many socially excluded.Jock young says we
live in a bulimic society where we are exposed to a large variety
of consumer products which the W/C cannot purchase. Tackling crime
Make things better for people by (informal social control): Giving
them housing conditions to be proud of. Better job opportunities. A
better relationship between police and public,being more democratic
will help the flow of information. Its all about meeeeeeee!
Criticisms of New/Radical Criminology
What about me!?!? Criticisms of New/Radical Criminology
What about me!?!? Robin Hood Ignores victims Gender-blind AFSTOD I
cant make my mind up!?!?!?! Left Realism: A response to
Marxism
We need practical strategies for reducing crime in the here and
now, rather than waiting for a revolution and a classless socialist
utopia to abolish crime. Left realists, like Marxist, agree that
structural reasons like poverty and feelings of injustice cause
crime. Response to the growing influence of Right Realism Taking
crime seriously
Left realists recognise that there has been a real increase in
crime rates. The best way to reduce crime is to reduce the causes
of crime. Disadvantaged groups have the greatest fear of crime and
it has the greatest effect on their lives. How does this differ
from Right Realists? Taking crime seriously
Crime is a real problem which affects disadvantaged groups which
has not been taken seriously by other sociologists. There has been
a real increase in crime since 1950s especially working class
crime. Sociology has a crises in explanation and fails to fully
consider why? BCS suggests reported crime is the tip of the iceberg
and masks the true levels of crime. Disadvantaged groups greater
risk of becoming victims. Through victim surveys, Left Realists
have identified the types of crime that people worry about most:
Why are these crimes worried about most? What crimes do people not
worry about, or worry about a lot less and why? Who is most likely
to be a victim of these crimes? Why would these crimes worry them?
Who is most likely to fear crime and be a victim of it?
The poor and deprived Ethnic minority groups Those living in
inner-city areas Left Realists recognise that most people dont care
much about white-collar or corporate crime, because it has little
impact on their lives Causes of Crime Lea and Young (1984)
Relative Deprivation Subculture Marginalisation What do these mean?
Where have you come across this concept before
Relative Deprivation How deprived one feels in relation to others
or compared with own expectations. Paradox - the more prosperous a
society the higher the crime rates. Individualism fuels this. the
lethal combination is relative deprivation and individualism Young
(1999) Causes crime by encouraging the pursuit of self interest at
the expense of others. Where have you come across this concept
before Who does this sound like?
Subculture Groups collective response to the problem of relative
deprivation. Different groups have different responses to this
problem, e.g. crime to close the deprivation gap, religion theodicy
of dispriviledge. Criminal subcultures still subscribe to values
and goals of mainstream society but do not have the means to
achieve them. Who does this sound like? What would be a
conventional means of expressing frustrations
Marginalisation Powerless groups who lack goals and organisation
have no other means of expressing their frustration and resentment
apart from criminal acts such as violence and rioting. What would
be a conventional means of expressing frustrations Jock Young and
Late modernity (2002)
Deindustrialisation increased UE. Destabilised families and
communities Relative Deprivation Downwards Resentment Upwards and
Downwards Crime is more widespread Less public consensus on what is
right and wrong Informal controls disintegrate Public less tolerant
and demand harsh punishments High crime society with a low
tolerance for crime. Jock Young and Late modernity (2002)
Deindustrialisation increased UE. Destabilised families and
communities Relative Deprivation Downwards Resentment Upwards and
Downwards Crime is more widespread Less public consensus on what is
right and wrong Informal controls disintegrate Public less tolerant
and demand harsh punishments High crime society with a low
tolerance for crime. Read page 97. Task: What do these images
represent?
In pairs/small groups, have a look at the image and try to
determine the features of Jock Youngs theory of late modernity,
exclusion and crime. Jock Young and Late Modern societywhy is it
criminogenic?
Who lives next door? Dunno Whose idea is this similar to?
Young uses this idea of inclusion and exclusion to describe a
bulimic society A society in which we take in the images of what we
could have... and then forces us to vomit envy and frustration when
we cannot achieve these dreams (because we dont have the money or
status) Whose idea is this similar to? Ever felt deprived? Jock
Young sees a contrast between these 2 factors as being responsible
for increasing feelings of relative deprivation: Cultural inclusion
Refers to the way in which we all have access to all that is on
offer today.The media, adverts, internet etc all ensure that we all
can see what is available Economic exclusion Refers to the fact
that although we can all view these things we cant all afford
them.This can lead to envy and frustration. But this also goes in
the other direction:
Many resent the high bonuses of bankers, the wages of footballers,
etc But this also goes in the other direction: Many MC people
resent the scroungers benefit fraudsters living off welfare while
they work hard to maintain a living.It makes them think whats the
point? Likewise, in our celebrity obsessed culture we are fed
images and stories of drug and booze addled celebrities, hounded by
paparazzi, who yearn for a normal life like everyone else.Maybe
deviance is their escape/way of coping? Activity: Left Realism
Which perspectives would agree?
Relative Deprivation. Economic change and de-industrialisation.
Importance of values. Lack of consensus on right and wrong.
Stereotyping of underclass. Lack of political voice. Some groups
feel marginalised. Increased individualism. Expression of
frustration through criminal behaviour. Exclusion from economic
activity. Government policies increase marginalisation. Crime is a
real problem for many. Tackling Crime Left Realism
Policing and Control Tackle Inequalities Government Policy Policing
and Control Police depend on public to report and help solve
crimes. Public lose confidence in the Police information dries up
Military Policing methods are used (SUS) further alienates
community. Policing and control Policing should be accountable to
local communities and deal with local concerns. Routine beat
patrols and SUS are ineffective. Over-police minor drug offences
and under-police racist attacks. Improve relationship with locals
and focus on what worries them. Pre-emptive Deterrence
The organisation of communities in an attempt to pre-empt crime is
of the utmost importance. Community policing; neighbourhood watch;
CCTV; designing-out crime. Tackling Structural Causes
Causes of Crime = Inequality of opportunity, unfairness of rewards
Solution = Reduce inequality and discrimination. Provide decent
jobs, houses an community facilities. Tolerant of diversity.
Demarginalisation "Realists would argue for alternatives to
prison", they would advocate "measures such as community service
orders, victim restitution schemes, and widespread release from
prison" which would stop "the severance of the moral bond with the
community The institutions that are involved in controlling crime
and criminals must epitomise justice. The Minimal Use of
Prison
"Prisons should only be used in those circumstances where there is
extreme danger to the community... Life inside should be as free
and as 'normal' as possible. Such a demand is not humanitarian
idealism - it is based on the simple fact that the result of prison
experience is to produce pitiful inadequates or hardened criminals.
Influence Government Policy
However, Jock Young thinks they have not gone far enough. The New
Labour policies have focused more on tackling crime rather than the
root causes of crime. Left realists have influenced New Labour
Policies. Tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.
Examples: Policing of hate crimes, sexual assaults and domestic
violence. ASBOs to protect vulnerable groups. New Deal for
Unemployed. Evaluation of Left Realism
Draws attention to the problem of street crime. Accepts authorities
definition of crime.Fails to explain how the powerful commit crimes
on the poor. Rely on quantitative data cannot explain offenders
motives. (Interactionists) Not everyone who suffers from relative
deprivation becomes a criminal. Focus on inner-city makes crime
appear a bigger problem than it is. Kinsey (1986) The police need
to improve clear-up rates
What does clear-up rates refer to? Crimes solved and offenders
caught by Police Why might this be important for a community? Deter
criminals in the future Improve community relations and confidence
in the Police Encourage co-operation with the Police Kinsey
suggests more community policing and time spent investigating
crimes. Which is LEFT, which is RIGHT?
More ethnic minority police officers Biological factors play a part
in criminality Materialistic messages from the media has increased
relative deprivation Charles Murray Jock Young Had more influence
over policy under New Labour Economic insecurity have ked to
feelings of relative deprivation Conservative Rational Choice
Theory CCTV Zero Tolerance Policing (more officers too) Inadequate
socialisation Community service and inclusion Broken Windows New
York city subway trains Poverty and Deprivation are factors Reform
socialist Left Realism and Letters...
Which M is used to describe the idea that people turn to crime
because they feel politically and economically excluded. Which B is
used to describe a society that is culturally included, but
economically excluded? Which C describes a concern for Kinsey and
other left realists, because people dont see justice being served?
Which R describes the theory that people commit crime because they
feel a sense of injustice about what they dont have compared to
others around them who may not put in the same effort. This kind of
society, beginning with L, makes crime inevitable, since their is
less consensus on what is right and wrong. Realism Assessment
Questions
Assess the value of the right realist approach to crime and
deviance. (21) Assess the value of the left realist approach to
crime and deviance. (21)