Non-sociological Eg Appearance

Crime theories Diet

Genes

Interactionism Functionalism New Right New Left Marxism

Poverty does not Tough on crime,

Harold Becker: Emile Durkheim: cause crime tough on the
Labelling pre-industrial age causes of crime
crime was rare as Broken windows
family strong
Robert Merton: People are inclined
Jock Youngs study strain theory.
Consequence of
of Hippies to criminal capitalism
Strain between behaviour they
Crime benefits goals and choose to do it
society. attainment crime Laws made by and
is the result for the ruling classes
Edwin Lemert Unites society

Primary deviance White-collar crime

Albert Cohen: Sub-
Relative Deprivation goes unpunished
Secondary cultures Marginalisation
deviance status frustration Subculture

Master status Remember: there are elements of truth in each one problem comes when a partial
truth is made into the whole truth.

Not all accept their label.
Focuses narrowly on the
Weaknesses: individual there are
other factors (eg role of
society ).
Doesnt explain the
origin of deviance.
Some crimes are dysfunctional! Leads to class inequalities Focuses on street Focuses too narrowly
Merton never addresses why individuals commit and victimisation (creates crime ignores in the class/ economic
crime yet others conform. scapegoats). White collar aspect.
White collar crime comes from access to Overstates the rationality crime. There are other
opportunities. of crime. Doesnt explain factors (eg ethnicity,
Only minority of young become delinquents. Focuses too much on opportunity crime gender )
Many working class boys conform at school. working class crime