Understanding Violence and Crime: Theories and Factors Overview, Slides of Sociology of Deviance

Download Understanding Violence and Crime: Theories and Factors Overview and more Slides Sociology of Deviance in PDF only on Docsity! Violence and Violent Crime docsity.com Some Findings of Fact • Violence is NOT evenly distributed on any social or geographic dimension. – Gender – Age – Class – Race – Location – Climate – Season • Any theory of violence should take these disparities into account, although most do not. docsity.com “Human Instinct” • Focus on murder • Humans have evolved unique ability to use killing of others of own species to serve personal and social functions • Problems with theory – Might have value since other species tend to use violence less dysfunctionally, however… – They DO kill members of own species! docsity.com The Subculture of Violence • Attempts to account for variations in rates of violence across cultures • Posits “subculture” in which violence is seen as resource for resolving interpersonal disputes. • Valuable theory, but ignores gender. docsity.com Geography • Posits “southern subculture of violence.” • Statistical support • Problems – Ignores poverty and cultural issues as possible causes – South is not most violent! docsity.com