Download Sociological Theories of Crime: An Overview - Prof. Gary Webb and more Study notes Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! 3/1/2011 1 Criminology SOC 4333 Spring 2011 Dr. Gary Webb Department of Sociology Oklahoma State University Sociological Theories of Crime: Some Basic Assumptions • Social factsmust be explained by other social facts • Behavior is shaped by social structure, stratification, culture, and interaction • Definitions of crime and deviance are relative • Normalization of the deviant • Reactions to crime may have unintended consequences Three Major Branches of Sociological Theories of Crime • Theories of Social Structure (Functionalism) – Social disorganization – Cultural deviance – Social strain (anomie) • Theories of Social Process (Symbolic Interactionism) – Differential association – Drift – Social control – Labeling • Theories of Social Conflict (Conflict Perspective) Social Disorganization: Shaw and McKay’s Concentric Zone Model The loop Zone IV IV III II Social Disorganization Theory Social Institutions Family Conformity Government Economy Community Education Deviance Miller’s “Focal Concerns” Theory Culturally Valued Goals Blocked Opportunities Focal Concerns Trouble Toughness Smartness Excitement Autonomy Fate Delinquency 3/1/2011 2 Cohen’s “Middle Class Measuring Rod” Theory Lower Class Values Middle Class Measuring Rod Individual responsibility Achievement, success, ambition Deferred gratification and planning Courtesy and politeness Respect for property of others Control of violence and aggression Wholesome recreation and leisure Delinquency Reaction formation Critique of Social Disorganization and Cultural Deviance Theories • Rely on official crime data • Stereotype the poor • Ignore organization and solidarity in urban areas • Fail to explain conformity in the lower classes and deviance in the middle classes • Major Strengths: – Normalize individual delinquents – Locate causes of crime in social context – Positive implications for public policy Merton’s Anomie (Strain) Theory: Modes of Adaptation Mode of Adaptation Cultural Goals Institutionalized Means Conformity + + Innovation + ‐ Ritualism ‐ + Retreatism ‐ ‐ Rebellion n/a n/a Modes of Adaptation and Threats to the Social Order Mode of Adaptation Threats to the Social Order Conformity Obedience, status quo, Crime and the American Dream Innovation Crime, new risks and hazards Ritualism “Iron cage” and “McDonaldization” Retreatism Apathy and pessimism Rebellion Conflict and potential loss of legitimacy Messner and Rosenfeld’s Institutional Anomie Theory • Crime and the American Dream “Our primary concern is…with how crime is produced when societies work pretty much the way they are supposed to.” • Foundations of the American Dream: – Achievement – Materialism – Individualism • U.S. society is criminogenic, characterized by: – Devaluation of non‐economic activities – Penetration of economic norms into other institutional domains Economic Values and Social Institutions Institution Primary Function Example of economic penetration Family Socialize the young Allowance Religion Instill morals Mega‐Church Ed i T i k l d D d b llucat on ransm t now e ge o ge a Government Protect public interests Special interests Sport Leisure and competition “FedEx Field” Media Provide information Cable news brought to you by…
