Sociology of Deviance: Traditional Marxism vs Taylor et al

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Questions and Answers

According to Taylor et al, what is the primary motivation behind criminal actions?

A need to fit into and gain acceptance from a subculture

A reaction to external subcultural pressures

A conscious choice to change society (correct)

A response to immediate social reactions

What aspect does Taylor et al's 'fully social theory of deviance' borrow from interactionism and labelling theory?

The immediate origins of the deviant act

Economic inequality's impact on crime rates

The external subcultural influences on criminal behavior

The meaning of the deviant act for the actor and the societal response (correct)

Which criticism do Left Realists have towards Taylor et al's perspective on working-class criminals?

Ignores the immediate social reactions to crime

Romanticizes them as Robin Hoods fighting capitalism (correct)

Excessively focuses on female criminality

Overemphasizes the role of labeling in deviance

According to traditional Marxism, how is crime primarily explained?

By external factors such as subcultures Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Taylor et al's 'fully social theory of deviance' pertains to societal power in defining deviance?

The wider origins of social reaction Signup and view all the answers

Which feminist criticism is directed towards Taylor et al's theory on deviance?

It is gender blind, focusing mainly on male criminality Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxist theory, what is the primary reason crime is considered inevitable in a capitalist society?

Capitalism is inherently criminogenic Signup and view all the answers

Why does Snider argue that the state fails to regulate corporation crime effectively?

Desire to attract and protect investment Signup and view all the answers

What does Gordon assert about crime in a capitalist system?

It is a rational response to the capitalist system Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxist views on law enforcement, how does imprisoning the working class support capitalism?

By neutralizing opposition legitimately Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates Chambliss’s view on law making in capitalist societies?

Laws to protect private property are central to the economy Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason traditional Marxism argues that working-class individuals might engage in non-utilitarian crimes?

Due to alienation and frustration Signup and view all the answers

What do Marxists believe about how the criminal justice system enforces the law?

It selectively enforces the law against powerless groups such as the working class. Signup and view all the answers

Which function does Pearce attribute to laws that appear to benefit the working class?

Maintaining the ruling class's interest by keeping workers fit for work. Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of traditional Marxism regarding its view on crime and inequality?

It ignores important non-class inequalities such as gender. Signup and view all the answers

What key concept from labeling theory supports traditional Marxist views?

The law serves to criminalize certain groups. Signup and view all the answers

How do Left realists criticize traditional Marxism?

For ignoring intra-class crime, such as crimes where both the criminal and victim are working class. Signup and view all the answers

According to Neo-Marxists, what characterizes capitalist society?

Exploitation and class conflict. Signup and view all the answers

How do Neo-Marxists propose to reduce or eliminate crime?

Replacing capitalism with a classless society. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Taylor et al's theory focuses on the context in which the individual decides to commit the act?

The immediate origins of the deviant act Signup and view all the answers

Which criticism is made by left realists against Neo-Marxists?

Ignoring the effects of crime on working-class victims Signup and view all the answers

What do feminists criticize Taylor et al's theory for?

Being 'gender blind' Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of Taylor et al's 'fully social theory of deviance'?

To understand deviance in order to change society for the better Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Taylor et al's theory analyzes the reactions of those around the deviant upon discovering the deviance?

The immediate origins of social reaction Signup and view all the answers

What argument does Burke make about critical criminology?

It is too general to explain crime and too idealistic to be useful in tackling crime Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Traditional Marxism and Deviance

Crime is determined by external factors like subcultures
Crime is explained through subcultural theories

Taylor et al's Anti-determinism

Crime is a meaningful action and a conscious choice
Individuals strive to change society
Society should promote individual liberty and diversity
Crime has a political motive, striving for redistribution of wealth

The theory relies on traditional Marxist views on wealth distribution and the power to enforce laws
The theory combines interactionism and labelling theory to understand the meaning of the deviant act
A complete theory of deviance consists of six aspects:
- Wider origins of the deviant act: Inequality in wealth distribution and power
- Immediate origins of the deviant act: Context in which the individual chooses to commit the act
- The act itself: The meaning behind the actor's actions
- Immediate origins of social reaction: Reaction of those around the deviant
- Wider origins of social reaction: Society's reaction, defining actions as deviant
- Effect of labeling: Impact on future deviant actions

Criticisms

Feminists criticize Taylor et al for focusing on male criminality, ignoring female criminality
Left Realists criticize Taylor et al for romanticizing working-class criminals, claiming they are akin to Robin Hoods fighting capitalism

Marxist Theories

Criminogenic Capitalism

Capitalism causes crime due to poverty and lack of control over lives
Alienation and frustration lead to non-utilitarian crimes like violence
The need to win at all costs or go out of business encourages capitalists to commit white-collar and corporate crime

Corporation Crime

Corporation crime is the most serious crime in modern industrial countries
Research found that street crime costs $4 billion to fix, while corporation crime costs $80 billion to fix
The state fails to regulate corporation crime to attract and protect investment
Corporation crime is rarely prosecuted due to high costs and low chances of success

Law Enforcement

Crime is a rational response to the capitalist system and is found in all social classes
Economic infrastructure influences social relationships and values, prioritizing profit over collective well-being
Competition encourages individual achievement at the expense of others, leading to aggression

How Law Enforcement Supports Capitalism

Law enforcement punishes the working class, drawing attention away from the system
Imprisoning the working class neutralizes opposition to the system
Defining criminals as enemies of the state justifies keeping them hidden and avoiding questioning of the system

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Description

This quiz explores the theories of deviance in sociology, comparing and contrasting the traditional Marxist perspective with Taylor et al's anti-determinist approach. Learn about the different explanations for crime and deviance in society.