Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc 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 ( )
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Learning Objectives 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.
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Introduction Starts with idea that all behaviour is social through learned roles NOT because of biology or personality (psych) humans make rules, break rules Shaped by social forces in environment
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Innately “good” or ”bad”? Crime vs. deviance Rich historical dominance Social structure and social forces Socialized through social environment Social environment = opportunity Social structure = “norms” perscriptive norms (what we can do) proscritpive norms (what we can not do)
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc History Auguste Comte (father of sociology): observation, positivism, deduction 3 laws: theology, metaphysical, positive G. Tarde: (law of imitation) proportion - frequency direction - superior insertion - fashionable or superior E. Durkheim crime is NORMAL… necessary collective conscience - for stability
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc History Heterogeneity! - sociology in N.A. Burgess & Parks: Chicago School concentric circle human ecology/ CPTED Dawson: Canadian sociology Socially defined norms Functional or systems approach
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Anomie/Strain Theory 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
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Differential Association E. Sutherland Individual in relation to environment NINE principles (pp ) Social learning (Tarde, Sutherland, Jeffery, Akers) Neutralization (Sykes & Matza) Social control (Reiss, Hirschi)
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Labelling Theory 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
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Labelling Theory 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?
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Social Conflict Theories 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
Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education Canada Inc Summary 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 Move towards integration and interdisciplinary understanding