This assignment will explore the social constructivist approach to defining and measuring of crime and deviance from a functionalist and interactionist perspective with a brief overview of the Marxist perception. It will also consider the statistical approach to measuring crime. In terms of Crime and deviance they are extremely diverse. Crime is defined as any act which breaks the law and is therefore punishable. Most, if not all, acts of crime are categorized as deviant behaviour, for example, murder.
Discuss the problems involved in defining and measuring crime and deviance. This essay aims to discuss the problems involved in defining crime and deviance and measuring crime. The essay will focus on the similarities of crime and deviance and discuss problems in measuring crime statistic. Crime is defined by an act that breaks the law (oxforddictionary 2013) and deviance is any behaviour that is considered out of the ordinary (oxforddictionary 2013). There are different theories on how crime and deviance are viewed.
The origin of social disorganization theory can be traced to the work of Shaw and McKay, who concluded that disorganized areas marked by divergent values and transitional populations produce criminality. Strain theories view crime as resulting from the anger people experience over their inability to achieve legitimate social and economic success. These theories hold that most people share common values and beliefs but the ability to achieve them is differentiated throughout the social structure. The best known strain theory is Merton's, which describes what happens when people have inadequate means to satisfy their needs. Cultural deviance theories hold that a unique value system develops in lower class areas.
Today, there are several theories on why people commit crimes. I will examine the rational choice theory and trait theory to get a better understanding of why people become violent offenders. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, “violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault” (fbi.gov). The UCR describes the following violent crimes: “Murder and non-negligent manslaughter are defined as the willful killing of one person by another. Forcible rape is defined as the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will.
Stereotyping Criminals: It Matters A criminal is formally defined as a person who has committed a crime. And a crime is defined as an action that is considered an offense that may be prosecuted by the state. A Guilty person is defined as a person who is justly chargeable with a particular fault or error. Do you see any mention of someone’s guilt depending on the color of their skin or their sexuality in those definitions? You don’t, because our court system, in theory, in America is supposed to be based upon the idea of “innocent until proven guilty” not “innocent until proven stereotypically likely to have committed the crime”.
Contrast the functionalist and conflict theories of crime. The functionalist would argue that those who transgress are usually dealt with by the law and that order is restored. The conflict theorist would argue that the law enforcement system perpetuates the inequalities and would give the example of how many white-collar crimes go unpunished. Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_8586125_compare-contrast-functionalist-conflict-theories.html#ixzz2iJlpn5zx Contrast the functionalist and conflict theories of crime. The functionalist would argue that those who transgress are usually dealt with by the law and that order is restored.
Format your presentation consistent with APA guidelines. Option 2: Personal Crimes Analysis Matrix Create a matrix to complete your personal crimes analysis. Include the following: • Differentiate between assault, battery, and mayhem. • Identify and explain kidnapping and false imprisonment. • Compare and contrast between rape and statutory rape.
Crime and Justice CJA/204 February 23, 2015 Crime and Justice Crime is a social phenomenon and is defined as any unlawful act by law where society has provided a specific punishment. There are many different acts such as murder, arson, robbery, larceny, motor vehicle theft and burglary. Crime also consists of acts threatening a nation ,practical jokes such as falsely reporting a bomb threat or hate crimes be it religious, gender or racial. These are also described as negatively affected stereotype groups. Negative stereotypes are often resistant to change even in the face of conflicting information (Devine, 1989; Fiske & Neuberg, 1989), and are intimately linked to prejudice and bigotry (Stroebe & Insko, 1989).
Theories on Crime Comparison Carl Boone AJS/542 July 25th 2013 Jeffrey Begley Theories on Crime Comparison To understand crime and the elements that help compare and contrast motives, influences, and patterns of criminal behavior; theories are developed under models of thought. This process is called criminology and it is the study of crime and criminal behavior with some focus on lawmaking as well (McShane, Williams, 2010). Criminology has continued to be one of the cornerstones of our judicial system. The scientific research that goes into understanding individuals and societies, along with the variables involved, help the criminal justice system better understand issues that relate to crime. Criminology was first born in the eighteenth century and although it was not initially concerned with the aspect of understanding crime and criminal behavior, “it gained its association with criminology through its focus on lawmaking” (McShane & Williams 2010, ch.2, p. 15).
Social institutions are an important part of organized crime as well. Social institution determines the type of socialism within an organized crime group. This paper will discuss and explain social institution and how it applies to organized crime. As well as, which empirical and speculative theories are most applicable when applied to organized crime and criminal behavior. Social Institution and how it applies to organized crime A social institution is a social group that an individual lives in or grows up around (Lyman & Potter, 2007).