Social Class and Crime Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What pattern is shown by official statistics regarding crime?

Upper-class people offend more than working-class people.

Crime rates are equal across all social classes.

Working-class people are less likely to offend.

Working-class people are more highly represented among offenders. (correct)

What percentage of inmates had no educational qualifications according to Omolade (2014)?

43%

What is the link between crime and poverty?

Higher crime rates are often associated with conditions of poverty.

What does Merton's strain theory suggest about deprived communities?

They have fewer opportunities to achieve success, which may push people towards crime. Signup and view all the answers

True or False: Control theory suggests that socialization weakens in disadvantaged communities.

True Signup and view all the answers

What focus does Marxist theory have regarding crime?

It focuses on working-class crime rather than middle-class crime. Signup and view all the answers

How does Becker's labelling theory apply to working-class individuals?

Working-class individuals are more likely to be labelled as criminals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can lead to higher crime rates in working-class areas?

More police presence. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption do right realist theories make about young men?

They assume there is a criminal underclass of 'idle young men'. Signup and view all the answers

How has globalization affected the working class according to postmodern theories?

It has led to higher unemployment and a crisis of masculinity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Working-class individuals, particularly from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are more frequently represented among offenders according to official statistics.

Omolade (2014) Findings

Of 2100 inmates surveyed:
- 43% lack educational qualifications.
- Only 6% possess a degree or equivalent.
- 36% were unemployed at the time of sentencing.
- 60% were receiving government benefits.

A strong link exists between crime rates and poverty, particularly with property crimes.
Gordon (1976) described capitalism as criminogenic, encouraging greed and selfish behavior.
Lea and Young (1984) emphasize that deprivation is perceived relatively based on societal expectations.

Strain Theory and Anomie

Merton's (1968) theory posits that deprivation limits opportunities to achieve societal goals, leading individuals to resort to innovative (often criminal) means to attain success.

Disadvantaged communities experience heightened marginality and social exclusion.
Weaker socialization and control mechanisms in these areas increase vulnerability to crime.
Rational choice theory suggests that individuals may see the benefits of crime, such as financial gain, as outweighing the risks involved.

Marxist Theory

The focus of society is skewed toward working-class crime, neglecting middle-class offenses.
Legal systems are perceived to disproportionately punish working-class individuals.
Criminogenic capitalism contributes to the deprivation experienced by the working class.

Interactionalist Theories

Media and criminal justice control by the middle class leads to misrepresentation of working-class behavior.

Cicourel's Research

Middle-class parents are more adept at navigating the justice system, resulting in lower crime rates among middle-class youth.

Becker's Labelling Theory

Working-class individuals are often labeled as criminals more readily, attracting increased police scrutiny.

Labelling, Stereotyping, and Prejudice

Poorer working-class communities often fit police stereotypes of criminality.
Heightened police presence in these areas leads to more frequent stops, searches, and arrests.
Working-class individuals face a higher likelihood of being judged as typical criminals, resulting in harsher treatment through the legal system.

Right Realist Theories

The existence of a criminal underclass, often typified by "idle young men," is attributed to flawed socialization in lone-parent families (Murray).
Broken Windows Theory suggests that deteriorating neighborhoods correlate with increased criminal behavior.
For working-class criminals, the perceived cost of crime is lower, leading to a higher likelihood of engaging in criminal activities.

Postmodern Theories

Globalization has disproportionately impacted the working class, with the outsourcing of manual labor leading to unemployment.
This crisis of masculinity positions crime as an appealing career choice and a source of status that has been lost in traditional roles.

Description

Explore key concepts related to social class and crime through these informative flashcards. Understand trends in crime statistics, educational qualifications of offenders, and social patterns. This resource is beneficial for students studying criminology or sociology.