Deterministic -
Society exists
above individuals
and people are
forces into crime
my forces beyond
their control.
Interpretivists criticise this for neglecting
the subjective/free will people have to
commit crime.
Critique of Durkheim
Why do some people in society
commit more crime than others?
Outdated and
emphasizes that the law
is neutral
Traditional Marxists such as
Chambliss (1994) argue that the law
actually benefits the ruling class
Merton (1968) - "Strain Theory"
Developed Durkheim's
concept of anomie to mean
that crime is likely to occur in
situations of anomie since
individuals (i.e. black, w/c
ethnic minorities) are
uncertain of the law
Also uses the concept of
the American Dream to
explain how society strives
for
wealth/posessions/material
goods that can either be
achieved legitimately (i.e.
qualifications) or
illegitimately (crime)
There is strain in people's
pursuit of societies goals/means
which society provides to
achieve such goals
There is pressure on the w/c (be them
white/black) to innovate (turn to crime)
Links to the media and the
emphasis on material
possessions
The 4 strains = conformity, innovation, rebellion, retreatism, and ritualism
Strengths of Merton
Successfully linked the strains of
soicety to crime
Assumes that everyone is committed
to society's success gloals, therefore
faitls to explain non-utilitarian crimes
like vandalism.
Marxists argue it ignores crimes
of the powerful
Ignores gang crime
Hirschi - Bonds of Attachment
Questions WHY people choose to commit crime
Certain forces i.e. integration into institutions such as the
family/education/religion stabilize social behaviour
Crime ocurs when these
attachments become weaker
There are 4 social boonds:
attachment (others wishes),
commitment (personal
investements), belief (e.g. a
Chrsitian would assert that crime
is against the 10 commandments -
moral code of conduct) and
involvement (busy/time to commit
crime)
Messner and Rosenheld
(1994)
The crime rate is so high in America because of
the high value America places on materialism
If a country promotes civic values such as duty then crime
would be lower - can apply to the UK
This can be seen in Japan where children are taught
respect in school. May reinforce why there is a lower
crime rate/anti-social behaviour.