Criminology: Social Structure Theory

Front 1

stratified society

Back 1

is groups of people according to economic or social class, characterised by unequal distribution of wealth, power and prestige.

Front 2

social class

Back 2

segments of population where members are relatively similar economic levels and share attitudes, norms and lifestyle

Front 3

culture of poverty

Back 3

oscar lewis..
a separate lower class culture.. such as mistrust in schools and agencies that is passed down to next gen.

Front 4

underclass

Back 4

lowest social stratum,in any country, members lack education and skills needed to function well in society

Front 5

social structure theories

Back 5

disadvantaged economic class position is primary cause of crime. e.g ell drugs for profit

(where you are in structure)

Front 6

social disorganization theory

Back 6

focuses on breakdown of inner city neighbourhoods of institutions (family, employment, school)
broken down schools etc
-gang formation

Front 7

strain theory

Back 7

a conflict between peoples goals and means available

Front 8

cultural deviance theory

Back 8

both strain and social disorganization views.. subcultures maintain values and beliefs that conflict with social normas that are passed down as cultural transmission (values are passed down to next gen)

Front 9

shaw and mckay

Back 9

linked crime to transitional slum
-social disorganization theory
-crime is constant fixture in areas of peoverty, regardless of residents race or ethnic

Front 10

ecology school

Back 10

community disorder:
community fear: fear crime and afraid of becoming victim
siege mentality: high levels of crime and civil disorder become suspicous nd mistrusting
community change

Front 11

concentration effect

Back 11

working amd middle classes flee inner cities, most disadvantaged consolidated to ghettos and have a tougher time

Front 12

collective efficacy

Back 12

mutual trust, willingness to intervene in supervision of children and maintain public order

Front 13

informal social control

Back 13

peers, family etc

Front 14

institutional social control

Back 14

schools and churches accant effectly work with alienation and mistrust

Front 15

public social control

Back 15

stable neighbours arrange for external sources of social control

Front 16

anomie

Back 16

is a result when sociall defined goals (wealth) are universally mandated but access to education is stratified by class and status

Front 17

social adaptations

Back 17

conformity, innocation, ritualism, retreatism,rebellion (merton)