Transcript Sociology- Based Perspectives of Crime

Chapter 7
Sociology- Based Perspectives of
Crime
The sociological imagination enables us
to grasp history and biography and the
relations between the two within society
C.W. Mills (1916-1962)
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Learning Objectives
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Appreciate the contribution that sociologists
have to the study of crime and the uniqueness
of the perspective they bring to such study.
Identify the factors that contributed to the
emergence of the sociological school.
Identify the different sociological perspectives.
Appreciate the strengths and limitations of the
major sociology-based perspectives of crime.
Better understand and appreciate the need for
a multidisciplinary approach.
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Introduction
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Starts with idea that all behaviour is
social
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through learned roles
NOT because of biology or personality
(psych)
humans make rules, break rules
Shaped by social forces in environment
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Innately “good” or ”bad”?
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Crime vs. deviance
Rich historical dominance
Social structure and social forces
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Socialized through social environment
Social environment = opportunity
Social structure = “norms”
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perscriptive norms (what we can do)
proscritpive norms (what we can not do)
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History
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Auguste Comte (father of sociology):
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G. Tarde: (law of imitation)
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observation, positivism, deduction
3 laws: theology, metaphysical, positive
proportion - frequency
direction - superior
insertion - fashionable or superior
E. Durkheim
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crime is NORMAL… necessary
collective conscience - for stability
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History
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Heterogeneity! - sociology in N.A.
Burgess & Parks: Chicago School
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concentric circle
human ecology/ CPTED
Dawson: Canadian sociology
Socially defined norms
Functional or systems approach
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Anomie/Strain Theory
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Durkheim and Merton
 Homogeneity vs. heterogeneity
 Organic solidarity
R. Merton & 5 modes of
adaptation
 Conformist; Innovation;
Ritualist; Retreatist; Rebel
 All societies have core values
 Goals vs. means
 Opportunity to access
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Differential Association
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E. Sutherland
Individual in relation to environment
NINE principles (pp. 196-7)
Social learning (Tarde, Sutherland,
Jeffery, Akers)
Neutralization (Sykes & Matza)
Social control (Reiss, Hirschi)
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Labelling Theory
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E. Lemert
Primary deviance
 Just not caught but do the act
Secondary deviance
 Get caught and ‘tagged’
Deviance amplification
Moral entrepreneurs
Tannenbaum: dramatization of evil
Becker: symbolic interactionism
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Labelling Theory
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How and why do certain behaviours
become defined as deviant/criminal?
Why does society/CJS discriminately
apply labels of sanction?
What are the effects of labelling?
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Social Conflict Theories
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Conflict: caused by inter-group conflict
& rivalry that naturally exists in every
society at every level
Peacemaking: societies could make
better use of policies, involve mediation
& conflict resolution
Feminist: identifying & representing
women’s interests historically
judged insufficiently represented
in mainstream
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Summary
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Focus on social structures & processes
Effects of social disorganisation
Not explain onset of primary deviation
Behaviours ‘universally’ sanctioned yet
we do them (rape, murder)
Powerful line of inquiry
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Move towards integration and
interdisciplinary understanding
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