Biological Theories of Criminality – Year 12/Unit 2. Physiological Theories AC 2.1/3.2

Lombroso: Born Criminals Sheldon: Somatypes Theory Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Criminals are physically different from 1 Key idea Somatype (body type) is related non-criminals. 1 Atavism The idea that criminals are to criminality. 2 Study Measured many criminals’ heads and ‘throwbacks’ to more faces. 2 Study Looked at body types and primitive stage of evolution. compared with likelihood of Findings Criminals more likely to have large 2 Endomorph Rounded, soft bodied, 3 criminality. jaws, long arms, aquiline noses. lacking muscle. Sociable, relaxed, outgoing. 4 Atavism Criminals are throwbacks to primitive 3 Findings Mesomorphic somatype most likely to be criminal. stage of evolution – pre-social, 3 Ectomorph Thin, fragile, lacking fat and impulsive, reduced sensitivity to pain. 4 Reason? Attracted by risk-taking and muscle. Flat chested, 5 Further Insane criminals, epileptic criminals. their physique and assertiveness narrow hips and shoulders, work Criminaloids – product of are important assets in . thin face. Self conscious, environment. emotionally restrained, thoughtful. Evaluating Sheldon Evaluating Lombroso 4 Mesomorph Muscular, hard-bodied, little 1 Strength Other studies replicate findings. fat, strong limbs, broad 1 Strength First person to study crime scientifically. shoulder, narrow waist. 2 Strength Most serious delinquents had most Adventurous, sensation- 2 Strength Shows imoportance of clinical and mesomorphic bodies. seeking, assertive, historical records of criminals. domineering. 3 Limitation Criminality likely to be a 3 Strength Helps to focus on how prevention combination of biology and 5 Physiological These biological theories not . environment. theories claim that the physical 4 Limitation No further evidence to link facial 4 Limitation Mesomorphic build may be result features of criminals differ features and criminality. of criminality. from non-criminals.

5 Limitation Did not compare with control 5 Limitation might be true cause of 6 Biological Criminals are biologically group of non-criminals. offending and mesomorphy. theories different from non-criminals 6 Limitation Racist. Equates criminals with 6 Limitation Mesomorphs more likely to be and this difference causes savages/ non-western . labelled. them to commit crime. Other Biological Theories: Genetic Theories; Brain Injuries and Disorders; Biochemical Explanations Biological Theories of Criminality – Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Genetic Theories AC 2.1/3.2

Twin and Adoption Studies Jacob’s XYY Study Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea: If crime is genetic – identical (Mz) 1 Key idea XYY syndrome in males makes Twins twins should have identical criminality them genetically predisposed to 1 Genetic Criminality is the result criminality. explanation 2 Twin Christiansen: Concordance in of genes inherited from study criminality Mz = 52% vs Dz = 22% 2 Study Compared rate of XXY in biological parents findings imprisoned criminals with 2 Monozygotic 3 Key idea: Adoptees share environment of general population. Identical twins that share Adoption adoptive parents/genes of biological 100% of the same genes parents. If genetic, criminality will 3 Findings Higher than average proportion match biological parents more. of inmates had XYY 3 Dizygotic Non-identical twins that 4 Adoption Mednick et al: birth parent 4 Features of Very tall, well-built, low share only 50% of the Study concordance = 20% vs. adopted XXY intelligence, high aggression, findngs same genes (like ordinary parent concordance = 14.7% violent. siblings) Evaluating Twin and Adoption 4 Environmental Criminality is the result Evaluating Jacob’s XYY Study explanation Studies of the surroundings a Strength Jacob et al found association with child grows up in 1 Strength Twin & adoption studies give some 1 XXY and violent support to genetic explanations 5 Chromosome Made from DNA and Strength 2 Strength Adoption studies overcome the 2 Price & Watmore found links with protein. Carry genetic problem of isolating genes and XYY and property crime information we inherit environment 3 Limitation Having the syndrome doesn’t from our parents. Most 3 Strength Research design of Adoption studies mean that is the cause of crime people have 23 pairs. is logical (nature vs nurture) 4 Limitation XXY men fit stereotype of violent 6 Super-male Another term for XYY 4 Limitation If criminality was only genetic MZ offenders – labelling theory syndrome. Those affected twins would have 100% concordance. 5 Limitation Low intelligence of XYY may give carry an extra Y (male) 5 Limitation It is impossible to isolate genetic higher chance of being caught chromosome on one of effects fully from environmental ones. 6 Limitation Syndrome is too rare to explain their 23 pairs. 6 Limitation Adopted children often placed with much crime similar to their birth Other Biological theories: Physiological Theories; Brain Injuries and Disorders; Biochemical Explanations Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Biological Theories of Criminality: Brain Injuries & Disorders and Biochemical Explanations AC 2.1/3.2

Brain Injuries and disorders Biochemical Explanations Key Vocabulary 1 Injuries: Brian injury can change personality 1 Key idea Biochemical substances and 1 EEG Electroencephalogram – Key idea and are more common in prisoners processes linked to criminality measures brain activity

2 Case Phineas Gage- metal rod through the 2 Sex Ellis and Coontz: testosterone 2 Testosterone Male sex hormone linked to study brain. Survived but personality Hormones: peaks puberty to early 20s – same aggression, murder and rape changed. Males as criminality. 3 PMT Pre-menstrual tension – 3 Disorder Some brain diseases have been linked 3 Sex PMT, PND, Lactation all used as fluctuation in female sex s: Key with criminal or anti-social behaviour. Hormones: defence in court – affected hormones idea Dementia, Encephalitis Lethargica’ Females mood/self-control. PND brain tumours, Huntington’s chorea. 4 Post-natal depression – used 4 Blood Hypoglycaemia linked to aggression as defence in infanticide 4 EEG Some studies show abnormal EEG sugar readings Lactation readings in psychopathic criminals 5 Substance Prescription and illegal drugs and 5 Breast-feeding. Used as abuse alcohol linked to crime. Can lead to defence in female . Evaluating Brain Injuries and disorders increased aggression. 6 Hypoglycaemia Low blood-sugar. Linked to aggression and alcohol abuse 1 Strength A few extreme cases do show brain 6 Other Lead, tartrazine linked to injury leads to changes in behaviour substances hyperactivity. Vit B deficiency linked to erratic behaviour. including criminality. General criticisms of biological theories Strength Some correlation between abnormal 2 Evaluating Biochemical Explanations Environm- Biology may give potentially criminal EEG readings and 1 ental characteristics but need Strength Biochemical factors recognised by 3 Strength Prisoners are more likely than non- 1 factors environmental trigger too. the courts prisoners to have a brain injury. 2 Sample Only studying criminals means we Strength Sex hormones, alcohol, drugs all 4 Limitation Crimes caused by brain injury or 2 bias don’t know about those who got known to affect mood/behaviour disease are rare. Original personality away – can’t genralise more important. Limitation 3 Biochemical processes may need an 3 Gender Most biological research only tells environmental trigger too 5 Limitation Abnormal EEG not necessarily the bias us about male criminality cause and not found in all psychopaths Limitation 4 Some studies find testosterone not 4 Crime is a Biological theories look for linked to physical aggression 6 Limitation ’s higher likelihood of brain social universal explanations, but crime construct injury may be affect of criminality mot 5 Limitation Infanticide may be caused by varies over time, place and cause – e.g. getting into fights. isolation rather than hormones Other Biological theories: Genetic Theories; Physiological Theories. Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Individualistic Theories of Criminality: Psychodynamic Theories AC 2.2/3.2

Freud: Psychoanalysis Evaluating Freud Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Our early childhood experiences 1 Strength Points to importance of socialisation 1 Id Instinctive ‘animal’ part of determine our personality and and early family relationships in mind – selfish, pleasure- future behaviour including understanding criminal behaviour seeking. criminality 2 Strength Some influence on policies for dealing 2 Superego Conscience or moral part of 2 Personality 3 conflicting elements of with crime and . mind – acting against it leads unconscious mind – id, ego and 3 Strength Critics doubt the existence of the to guilt and anxiety superego unconscious mind 3 Ego Referees the urges of id and 3 Link to Anti-social behaviour caused by 4 Limitation Unscientific and subjective – relies on superego. Tries to satisfy the crime abnormal relationship with parents accepting claims of a psychoanalyst id’s urges in a socially (neglect or excessively harsh or lax about the unconscious mind of acceptable way parenting). Conflicts between id, someone else. No way to tell if Weak ego, and supergo are unresolved., they’re correct! 4 Less guilt feelings and more superego which leads a to weak, over-harsh likely to act on id’s urges or deviant superego. Evaluating Bowlby 5 Harsh Craves punishment to superego release guilt feelings Bowlby: Maternal Deprivation Theory 1 Strength Backed up with evidence from the 44 thieves study 6 Deviant Successful socialisation but Key idea 1 There is a link between maternal superego into deviant moral code deprivation and deviant or anti-social 2 Strength Shows the importance of parent-child relationships in criminality behaviour 7 Primary The main person who looks Carer 2 Attachm- A child needs a close, continuous 3 Limitation Retrospective studies rely on after the child. ent relationship with a primary carer from memory 8 Attachment Describes the relationship birth to 5 to develop normally. 4 Limitation Doesn’t explain why 61% were not between child and primary 3 Separation If attachment is broken, even for a delinquent carer short time, it can lead to affectionless 5 Limitation No evidence of affectionless Affectionless psychopathy and criminal behaviour 9 Inability to form meaningful psychopathy in further studies psychopathy relationships as a result of Evidence 4 Study of 44 juvenile thieves referred 6 Limitation Overestimates how far early broken attachment before to child guidance clinic. 39% suffered childhood affects later behaviour the age of 5 maternal deprivation before the age of 5 compared with 5% of control group 7 Limitation Sammons and Putwain: maternal 10 Socialisation Process of learning norms of non-delinquents deprivation not linked to criminality and values

Other Individualistic Theories: Eysenck’s Personality Theory, Learning Theories, Cognitive Theories. Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Individualistic Theories of Criminality: Eysenck’s Personality Theory AC 2.2/3.2

Eysenck’s Personality theory Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Criminality is the result of a 1 Extraversion An outoging, sociable, highly neurotic and highly excitement-seeking. extroverted personality type. Impulsive, aggressive personality 2 Personality Extraversion vs introversions (E) dimensions Neuroticsm vs emotional stability 2 Introvert A reserved, inward-looking, (N) and later added psychoticism serious, pessimistic, self- (P) controlled personality 3 Link to Have a nervous system with a 3 Neurotic Anxious, moody, depressed, crime: high need for stimulation so prone to over-reacting. Extraverts constantly seek excitement 4 Emotionally Calm, even-tempered, through rule-breaking and stable controlled, unworried. impulsive behaviour Evaluating Eysenck: Limitations 5 Conditioning Learning through experience 4 Link to Are harder to condition into to seek pleasure (rewards) crime: following society’s rules because 1 Limitation: Studies show that prisoners are and avoid pain Neurotics high anxiety levels prevent them Farrington not often extraverted (). from learning from punishment 2 Limitation E measures two separate things – 6 Genetic Some individuals are born 5 Link to People with high P score tend to impulsiveness and sociability. Inheritance with a nervous system that crime: be solitary misfits who are more These things don’t always causes them to develop a Psychotics likely to be criminal and may have correspond criminal personality serious mental illness e.g. 3 Limitation Personality type and criminality 7 Psychoticism Having a personality that is schizophrenia are correlated, but this doesn’t cruel, insensitive, aggressive prove personality types causes and lacking in empathy Evaluating Eysenck: Strengths criminality 8 Correlation Relationship between two 1 Strength Describes how some measurable 4 Limitation Convicted offenders may not be variables – not cause and tendencies may lead to criminality typical of offenders on the whole. effect 2 Strength Studies suggest that offenders to 5 Limitation Eysenck used self-report 9 Validity How true a test is – does it tend towards high E, P and N questionnaires – people may lie actually measure what it sets scores. making the results invalid. out to measure? Other Individualistic Theories: Psychodynamic Theories, Learning Theories, Cognitive Theories. Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Individualistic Theories of Criminality: Learning Theories AC 2.2/3.2

Sutherland: Theory Evaluating Sutherland Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Criminality is the result of imitation 1 Strength Crime often runs in families 1 Imitation We acquire criminal skills and learned attitudes in groups that through observing those Strength: favour law-breaking 2 Juvenile delinquents are more likely to around us. Matthews have friends who commit anti-social 2 Study Group attitudes in the workplace acts – they learn from peer groups. 2 Learned Socialisation within a group often normalised behaviour. attitudes teaches them attitudes and Limitation Not everyone exposed to criminal Members able to justify their crimes 3 influences becomes criminal. values about the law. – everyone else is doing it. 3 Behaviourism The idea that rewards and Bandura: Social Learning Theory Skinner: Operant LearningTheory punishments shape our Key idea Much of our behaviour is learned behaviour – even Key idea If a behaviour results in a reward it 1 1 from imitating others (models) criminality will be repeated. If it results in an 4 Positive Behaviour is strengthened undesirable outcome it will not. Imitation 2 We are more likely to imitate people reinforcement by a positive outcome of higher status than us, and if we see 2 Link to Jeffrey’s differential reinforcement (reward) crime theory (DRT) suggests that crime them being rewarded Negative must therefore have more rewards Evidence 5 Behaviour is strengthened 3 Bobo doll study. Children most likely reinforcement for criminals than punishments to imitate violent adult model when by removing an they saw them rewarded. undesirable outcome Evaluating Skinner 6 Punishment Behaviour is stopped by an 1 Strength If a behaviour results in a reward it Evaluating Bandura undesirable outcome. will be repeated. If it results in an 1 Strength Takes account of our social nature – 7 Determinism The idea that our undesirable outcome it will not. we learn from others’ experiences. behaviour is caused by an Strength: 2 DRT suggests that crime must 2 Strength Bandura’s study shows importance of external force outside of Jeffrey therefore have more rewards for role models in learning deviance our control – we have no criminals than punishments free will. 3 Limitation Based on lab studies so lacks validity Limitation Animals are not the same as humans 3 8 Models People whose behaviour Limitation Not all observed behaviour is easily 4 we imitate. 4 Limitation Theory ignores mental processes imitated – we may see criminals such as thinking, attitudes and values rewarded but lack the skills to copy. 9 Validity How true a test is – does 5 Limitation Ignores free will of humans - 5 Limitation Ignores free will of humans - it actually measure what it Deterministic Deterministic sets out to measure? Other Individualistic Theories: Psychodynamic Theories, Eysenck’s Personality Theory, Cognitive Theories. Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Individualistic Theories of Criminality: Cognitive Theories AC 2.2/3.2

Yochelson and Samenow: Criminal Kohlberg’s Moral Key Vocabulary Personality Theory 1 Key idea Our ideas of right and wrong develop 1 Cognition Thinking /mental processes 1 Key idea Criminals are prone to faulty through a series of levels and stages such as attitudes, beliefs, thinking and this makes them more from childhood to adulthood. reasoning, decision-making, self-concept and how we likely to commit crime 2 Link to Criminals are stuck at a less mature crime level of moral development and likely interpret the world around 2 Study 240 male offenders, most of whom us. had been committed to a psychiatric to think only of reward and punishment, not about how their unit. 2 Cognitive The idea that how we behaviour will affect others. theory think, interpret a situation Thinking 3 Criminals show a range of biases and CBT will affect how we respond errors: Link 4 Cognitive theories have led to the errors in their thinking and decision- development of CBT as a possible to crime 3 CBT Cognitive Behavioural making which may lead to crime e.g. treatment for criminal behaviour. lying, secretiveness, the need for Therapy – treatment to power and control, super-optimism, ‘correct’ faulty thinking lack of trust, lack of empathy, Evaluating Kohlberg patterns. uniqueness and a victim stance. 1 Strength Some studies support delinquents 4 PICTS Psychological Inventory of having less mature stage of moral Criminal Thinking Styles – development. Evaluating Yochelson and Samenow a questionnaire aimed at 2 Strength: Found the theory to be truer for revealing criminal thought 1 Strength This has led to other research e.g. Thornton planned crimes such as theft and patterns PICTS and Reid robbery than impulsive crimes like 5 Representative If the results of a study can violence 2 Strength: Successful treatments e.g. CBT have be generalised to the been developed from these ideas. 3 Limitation Focuses on moral thinking rather whole population. than moral behaviour. Someone may Limitation Yochelson and Samenow didn’t use a 3 be perfectly capable of thinking 6 Attrition rate The number of participants control group of non-criminals to morally, while acting immorally. who drop out of a study. compare thinking errors with.

4 Limitation Their sample was unrepresentative – General criticisms of indivdualistic theories only males, and mostly in psychiatric hospitals. Can’t account for all 1 Artificality Behaviour in lab experiments is often not the same as in real-life situations crimnals. 2 Sample bias Studies are often only on convicted criminals who may differ from those who don’t get caught 5 Limitation High sample attrition rate – only 30 left in study by the end. 3 Neglect of social factors They ignore social factors which may cause criminality e.g. poverty and discrimination

Other Individualistic Theories: Psychodynamic Theories, Eysenck’s Personality Theory, Learning Theories. Sociological Theories of Criminality – Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Functionalist Theories AC 2.3/3.2

Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory Merton’s Strain Theory Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Crime is the inevitable result of 1 Key idea Crime is the result of unequal access inadequate socialisation/ to society’s goal of wealth 1 Function Functionalists argue that Crime performs four important functions: 2 Blocked Not all have equal chance to achieve everything has a positive opportunitie wealth – this creates strain for role to play in helping 3 Boundary Crime unites society’s members s working class people who cannot maintenance against wrongdoers, reinforcing the access wealth legitimately society to run smoothly boundary between right and wrong Four deviant adaptations to the strain: 2 Structural An explanation that focuses 4 Social change For society to progress, individuals theory on the way in which society with new ideas must challenge existing 3 Innovation Accept the goal but find illegal ways to norms and values – this is deviance at achieve it - utilitarian crimes is organised first 4 Ritualism Give up striving for success. Plod 3 Socialisation Process of learning norms 5 Safety Valve: For example prostitution acts to along in dead-end job and values Davis release men’s sexual frustrations without threatening the nuclear family. 5 Retreatism Reject goal and means to achieve. Drop-outs e.g. drunks, vagrants 4 Social All members of society feel 6 Warning light Deviance indicates that a society isn’t solidarity / like they belong to the same functioning properly so action can be 6 Rebellion Reject goal and means, replacing them integration harmonious unit and most taken to fix it. with new ones in order to change society – political radicals and do not deviate from it’s alternative e.g. hippies shared norms. Evaluating Durkheim 5 Anomie ‘Normlessness’ Society has 1 Strength First to recognise that crime can have Evaluating Merton multiple sets of norms and positive functions for society values that are often Strength Shows how normal and deviant 1 conflicting. 4 Limitation Does not suggest what the right behaviour arise from the same goals amount of crime is for society to function properly 2 Strength Explains why most crime in statistics is 6 Strain Conflict between the property crime and why working class pressure to conform to 5 Limitation Crime is not functional for all – e.g. crime rates are higher. society’s norms in but still vicitims 3 Limitation Ignores crimes of wealthy achieve it’s main goals of monetary success 4 Limitation Only sees deviance as an individual response 7 Utilitarian Crimes committed for crime 5 Limitation Focuses on utilitarian crime only financial gain

Other Sociological theories: Subcultural Theories, Interactionism, Marxism, Realism, Surveillance Theories Sociological Theories of Criminality – Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Subcultural Theories AC 2.3/3.2

Cohen: Evaluating Subcultural Status Frustration Theories Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea Crime is a group response to unequal 1 Strength These theories show how access to society’s goal of wealth. subcultures perform a function for 1 Subculture A group within society their members by offering solutions Status Working class boys end up at the that has it’s own set of 3 to the problem of failing to achieve frustration bottom of school’s official status norms and values that goals legitimately hierarchy and feel frustrated and differ from the worthless 2 Strength Cloward and Ohlin show how mainstream different types of neighbourhood Subcultures Subcultures offer a solution by 4 give rise to different illegitimate 2 providing an alternate status hierarchy Status System of stratification opportunities and subcultures in which society’s values are inverted – hierarchy based on social prestige. they gain status by being deviant 3 Limitation Ignore crimes of wealthy and over- This can be linked to predicts working class crime occupation, lifestyle etc. Cloward and Ohlin: 3 Limitation 4 Assume everyone starts with 3 Inverted Turning society’s values mainstream goals and turns to a Subcultures subculture when they fail to achieve values upside down so what is 1 Key idea Different neighbourhoods give rise to them, but some people don’t share bad becomes good and different types of deviant subcultures those goals in the first place and may vice versa be attracted to crime for other 3 Criminal Arise in areas where there is a reasons. 4 Non- Crimes committed subcultures longstanding professional criminal utilitarian without financial gain network. They select youths for an 5 Limitation Actual subcultures are not a clear- ‘apprenticeship’ in utilitarian crime and cut as Cloward and Ohlin claim. crime future criminal career Some show characteristics of all three types. 5 Legitimate A way to work your way 4 Conflict Arise where the only criminal opportunity up in society while subcultures opportunities are within street gangs. Violence is a release for frustration and structure staying within the a source of status earned by winning confines of the law. territory from rival gangs. 6 Illegitimate A way to work your way 5 Retreatist Made up of dropouts who have failed in opportunity up in society within a subcultures both the legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures. Often based on structure criminal or deviant drug use. network Other Sociological theories: Functionalist Theories, Interactionism, Marxism, Realism, Surveillance Theories Sociological Theories of Criminality – Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Interactionism AC 2.3/3.2

Cohen: The Mods and Rockers Interactionism and LabellingTheory Key Vocabulary 1 The study Cohen uses the Mods and 1 Interactionism Sees our interactions with each other Rockers study to explain the as based on meanings or labels. Crime amplification spiral 1 Label A name, meaning, or definition and criminals are social constructions. attached to a person or act 2 Media Media exaggeration caused Labelling theory No act is deviant or criminal in itself – 3 exaggeration growing public concern Primary Acts that have not been publicly it only becomes so when others label 2 deviance labelled – usually trivial and it as such 3 Moral Moral entrepreneurs called for a entrepreneurs crackdown leading to more uncaught. Offenders don’t see 4 Differential Social control agencies use arrests, and more concern themselves as criminal enforcement typifications to label some groups as Secondary Results from labelling – people criminal more than others 4 Negative Negative labelling of mods and 3 labelling rockers as folk devils deviance treat the offender soley in terms 5 Primary and Lemert argues that labelling is a cause of their label – this becomes their secondary of crime, He explains this by master status deviance distinguishing between primary and Evaluating Interactionism and Labelling 4 SFP The individual lives up to the label secondary deviance Theory they have been given 6 Self-fulfilling When an offender is labelled, society’s 1 Strength Shows that the law is not a fixed set of prophecy reaction pushes them into further rules but socially constructed 5 Media The media make the story about a deviance. They have lived up to their exaggeration crime seem worse than it is label. 2 Strength Shifts focus onto how police create crime by applying labels – may explain 6 Moral Someone of high status who 7 The deviance An attempt to control deviance why some groups are overrepresented entrepreneur publicly calls for a crackdown on amplification through a crackdown leads to it in crime statistics crime. spiral increasing rather than decreasing. This leads to greater attempts to control 3 Strength Shows how attempts to control can 7 Folk devils A group or individual who is and even more deviance create more deviance labelled negatively by society Limitation Deterministic – assumes we have no Interactionism Interactionists reject the use of 4 8 Typifications Ideas (usually held by the police) 8 choice but to live up to labels and crime statistics complied by the police about what a typical criminal is like. statistics because they believe they only 5 Limitation Gives offenders a victim status measure what the police do (who they 9 Social Something that has been made or arrest) rather than what criminals do 6 Limitation Fails to explain primary deviance construction defined by society rather than (how much crime there actually is). occurring naturally. 7 Limitation Doesn’t say where power to apply a 9 Young: The A study in which police attention and label comes from 10 Determinism The idea that our behaviour is Hippies labelling led hippies to retreat into caused by an external force closed groups where drug use took 8 Limitation Fails to explain why labels are applied outside of our control – we have over to some groups but not others no free will.

Other Sociological theories: Functionalist Theories, Subcultural Theories, Marxism, Realism, Surveillance Theories Sociological Theories of Criminality Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology The Marxist Theory of Crime and Law AC 2.3/3.2

Marxism: Key Ideas Ideological Functions of Crime and the Law Key Vocabulary 1 Inequality Structural theory: the unequal 1 Ideas about These are an that conceal structure of capitalist society shapes crime and law the inequality of Structural An explanation that focuses on behaviour including criminality 1 2 Selective Divides working class by making theory the way in which society is 2 Two classes Society is divided into two main class enforcement them blame each other instead of organised groups – Bourgeoisie and Proletariat capitalism for the problems they face 2 Capitalism An economic system in which in society 3 Society’s All institutions including the law and there are 2 classes. The ruling institutions criminal system work to 3 Diverts Nobody focuses on the much more class exploit the working class support capitalism and keep the attention serious ruling class crimes. for profit. working class in their place 3 Bourgeoisie The ruling class. They own the Capitalism Causes Crime 4 A caring face Laws which seem to benefit working means of production. They class (e.g. H&S) actually benefit exploit the working class for 1 Exploitation Crime is often the only way to survive capitalism and make it seem caring profit for the working class as they live in Proletariat The working class. They have to poverty Evaluating Marxism 4 sell their labour in order to 2 Consumerism Advertising pressures people into 1 Strength Shows how poverty can cause working survive. class crime and how capitalism utilitarian crimes to get goods Institution A complex, integrated set of promotes greed and encourages ruling 5 social norms. E.g. the law, the 3 Alienation and Inequality causes people to lash out class crime too. frustration and commit non-utilitarian crimes system, the family etc. Strength Shows how law making and 2 Consumerism A society which values the 4 Greed and the Capitalism is a dog-eat-dog system and enforcement are biased against the 6 buying or consuming of goods profit motive encourages corporate crimes to gain working class and in favour of the an advantage powerful 7 Utilitarian crime Crimes committed for financial gain. Making and Enforcing the Law 3 Limitation Focuses on class and ignores the relationship between crime and other 8 Crime committed by, or on 1 Chambliss Laws are made to protect the private inequalities e.g. race or gender behalf of, a company property of the rich 4 Limitation Over predicts the amount of working 9 Ideology A set of ideas of beliefs 3 Selective law White collar and corporate crimes of class crime – not all poor people turn enforcement the rich are much less likely to be to crime. 10 Criminogenic Causes crime prosecuted than working class ‘street crimes’. 5 Limitation Not all capitalist have high 11 White collar Crime committed by an crime rates (however Marxists point crime employee within the workplace 4 Example: Out of 200 companies who had out that in countries with little welfare Carson broken safety laws, only 3 were provision, like the USA, the crime 12 Selective When the law in applied prosecuted rates are higher). enforcement differently to different people Other Sociological theories: Functionalist Theories, Subcultural Theories, Interactionsim, Realism, Surveillance Theories Sociological Theories of Criminality Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Realism AC 2.3/3.2

Left Realism and Crime: Lea & Young Right Realism and Crime Key Vocabulary 1 Political Left wing, socialist. See inequality in 1 Political Right wing, conservative. See crime as a outlook capitalist society as root cause of outlook growing problem. Best way to reduce it is 1 Right wing The view that social inequality is crime. Crime reduction by making via control and punishment inevitable, natural, normal, or society fairer and more equal. desirable 2 Cause: Wilson and Hernstein: Some individuals 2 Cause: The media and growing inequality make Biological have biological traits which make them 2 Conservative Averse to change or innovation Relative people unable to afford the lifestyle differences more prone to criminality and holding traditional values. deprivation that is promoted to them. Some turn Favours competition and to crime to gain what they think they 3 Cause: The underclass is welfare dependent and meritocracy. should have. Inadequate does not havethe right norms and values. socialisation Lone mothers mean boys lack a male role 3 Socialisation Process of learning norms and 3 Cause: Criminal subcultures share society’s model and turn to gangs values Subculture materialistic goals – legitimate opportunities to achieve them are 4 Offending is a People weigh up the costs and benefits of 4 Capable Someone such as security guard blocked so they turn to crime. rational committing a crime before deciding to do guardian or police officer who acts as a choice (RCT) it. They have free will. deterrent to crime 4 Cause: Marginalised groups (e.g. unemployed Marginalisa- youths) have no goals or organisations 5 Felson: RAT For a crime to occur there needs to be a 5 Left wing Supports social equality and tion to represent their interests. Their motivated offender, a suitable target, and often in opposition to social frustration leads them into non- lack of a capable guardian hierarchy. Wants to support the utilitarian crime disadvantaged and reduce Evaluating Right Realism inequality. Evaluating Socialist Believes in cooperation and Strength RCT is supported by Rettig’s study where 6 1 collective ownership. Favours students choice to commit crime was 1 Strength Draws attention to importance of equality and social welfare. poverty, inequality and relative determined by severity of punishment deprivation as causes of crime Relative Feeling poor or disadvantaged in Strength Feldman’s study also found that people would 7 2 deprivation comparison to those around commit crime if risks were low/rewards high 2 Strength Draws attention to reality of street you crime especially effects on victims Strength Bennet & Wright: Burglars said risk of being from deprived groups 3 Subculture A group within society that has caught was important in deciding decision to 8 its own set of norms and values commit the crime 3 Limitation Henry & Milovanovic: Fails to explain that differ from the mainstream crimes of the powerful 4 Strength May explain some opportunistic crimes such as petty theft 4 Limitation Over-predicts working class crime. 9 Marginalisation Being on the outside of society Not all poor people turn to crime. 5 Limitation Rettig & Feldman’s studies were lab experiments – not like real life 10 RCT Rational Choice Theory 5 Limitation Focus on inner-city high-crime areas makes crime appear to be a greater 6 Limitation Bennett & Wright studied convicted burglars. 11 RAT Routine Activity Theory problem than it is May not be the same as successful ones! Other Sociological theories: Functionalist Theories, Subcultural Theories, Interactionism, Marxism, Surveillance Theories Sociological Theories of Criminality Year 12/Unit 2. Criminology Surveillance Theories AC 2.3/3.2

Foucault: The Panopticon Actuarial Justice and Profiling Key Vocabulary 1 Key idea In today’s society people engage in self-surveillance. We are also 1 Actuarial Comes from the insurance industry – 1 Surveillance Close observation, especially of a under electronic surveillance. an actuary is someone who calculates suspected criminal or criminal Surveillance has become an the risk of certain events happening target e.g. how likely it is for your house to increasingly important form of 2 Panopticon ‘All-seeing’ crime control. be burgled 3 CCTV Closed Circuit Television – 2 The A designed so that 2 Feeley and Actuarial justice is a new form of security cameras panopticon guards could see all prisoners, Simon surveillance. It aims to predict and but prisoners did not know if prevent future offending. It uses 4 Synopticon Everybody watches everybody they were being watched or statistical information to reduce crime not. by compiling profiles of likely 5 Disciplinary Power that is exercised over offenders. power people, to develop their capacity 3 Self- Prisoners had to assume they for self-control, or to encourage surveillance were being watched and behave them to conform to society’s properly just in case. Evaluating Surveillance Theories norms and values 4 Disciplinary Foucault argues this design is 1 Strength Foucault’s work has led to more 6 Self- When people have to regulate power now everywhere in society and research into surveillance and surveillance their own behaviour because they disciplinary power and self- disciplinary power – especially the know they could be being watched. surveillance now reaches every idea of an electronic panopticon individual. 2 Strength Researchers have identified other General Criticisms of Sociological Theories Mathieson: Synoptic Surveillance forms of surveillance such as actuarial justice and profiling 1 The underlying Sociologists disagree with each 1 Key idea: As well as surveillance from causes other about the causes of The above, we are now surveilled 3 Limitation Foucault exaggerates the extent of crime Synopticon from below as well – control e.g Goffman shows how some Overprediction Don’t explain why not every everybody watches everybody. inmates of and mental 2 disadvantaged person turns to hospitals resist controls 2 Example Motorists cyclists can monitor crime the behaviour of others with 4 Limitation Surveillance may not change people’s 3 Biological and Neglect factors that might dashcams or helmet cameras. behaviour as Foucault claims. E.g. Psychological explain why one person might This may change the behaviour studies show that CCTV may fail to factors turn to crime but another of others – they exercise self- prevent crime because offenders often person in the same social discipline take no notice of it. position might not

Other Sociological theories: Functionalist Theories, Subcultural Theories, Interactionism, Marxism, Realism