LIVE CRIMINOOGY SESSION
PRESENTER- MR EURYN MADOC-JONES
CRIMINOLOGY TEACHER: E-SGOL
2.3 a 4.1 (Sociological Explanations)
Functionalists
Marxist
Interactionalists
Right / Left Realism
Exam papers
FUNCTIONALISTS / MERTON STRAIN THEORY
Deviance / Crime: function
Durkheim: Anomie
Merton- American Dream
Strain-No means of achieving goals
Response- Innovate / Retreat
Cohen- Alternative Status Hierarchy
Effect on policy
Policies to tackle poverty e.g. minimum wage
Education in prisons
Developing means to achieve goals
‘Levelling Up
MARXISM
Capitalist society
Bourgeoisie
Proletariat
Capitalism- Crimogenic
Consumerism / Profit
Ideological state apparatus
Oppressive state apparatus
Effect on policy
Increased focus on the crimes of the ‘elite’
Increased focus on selective policing
Focus on corporate crimes e.e. Bohpal, Zeebrug
Inequalities within the law e.g. Trump in America
‘Corporate manslaughter’ a new crime
INTERACTIONALIST
Labelling
Master Status
Self fulfilling prophecy
Deviance Amplification
Moral Panics
Folk Devils
Power of stereotyping
Effect on policy
Attitude to crime for those under 18
Decriminalisation (cannabis)
Treatments rather than punishment
Police and stereotyping (education)
Power of the press
RIGHT REALISM
Rational Choice Theory
Cost / Benefit
Problem of the underclass (Murray)
Broken Windows Theory
Punishment
Importance of ‘Crime Control model’
Effaith ar bolisi
More severe punishments
Prisons are full ( +/-)- associated problems
Increase in police powers – Public Order Act2023
Zero Tolerance ??
Social Policies – Levelling up agenda (BWTh)
Policies encouraging the family unit
FURTHER EXCERCISES…….
2018
2017
Paul, 25, has been out of work since he left school at 16. His father and two elder brothers have been in prison, but so far Paul has not been convicted of any crime. His girlfriend complains that she does not have a nice house and doesn't go on a good holiday like her friends. Paul often suffers from depression as a result of his car accident two years ago, when he suffered head injuries. Last week, in an attempt to bring some excitement to his miserable life, Paul took part in an armed robbery at a local post office. However, he was later arrested and is now on remand in prison
Dylan is 18. He went to a failing school and he left with very little qualifications and now he works as a scaffolder. The work is sporadic, dangerous and it’s not a permanent employment. Dylan is often without money. He likes good clothes and shoes that are advertised on television but knows he will not get these luxury items on his wages. This has led him to steal from local shops to keep up with modern fashion trends and he is now in trouble with the police.
Questions…….
Questions---
Why are the ideas of Right Realism so influential in crime policies ?
Questions---
What 2.3 Questions and 4.1 (sociological) have not been asked ?
Questions---
What 4.1 (sociological) questions have not been asked ?
Assess the use of right / realism in informing policy development
Asses the use of interactionalism in informing policy development
Another example
Jane dreams of a life with fast cars and exotic holidays– Merton’s Strain Theory– American dream, strain, no means of chieving goals, Innovates and steals�.. receive minimum wage... Merton Strain Theory, Marxism (inequality)�'Working as a nanny for a law firm in London- They are the bourgeois- she the Proletariat, deprivation, been arrested--a sign of protecting the property of the rich- selective policing (OSA)�'dead end job'- Labelling/Master's Status/ SFP