In this essay we will assess the usefulness of these functionalist theories, and look at how it helps us explain crime. One functionalist who tried to explain crime is Merton and his strain theory, the strain theory argues that people engage in the deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. Merton explanation combines 2 elements; structural factors- society’s unequal opportunity structure, cultural factors- strong emphasis to achieve goals and weak emphasis on using legit means. Merton uses the strain theory to explain some patterns of crime in society, he argues a person’s positioning in society affects the way they adapt or respond to the strain to anomie. Merton gives 5 different types of adaption; Conformity- the individual accepts socially acceptable goal and achieves it through legitimate means, Innovation- Individual accepts the role of success and wealth but uses illegitimate means to achieve them, Ritualism- Individual give up on legitimate goals but still follow strictly to the rules, Retreatism- Individuals reject legitimate goals and means of achieving them e.g drug addicts, the final type is Rebellion- Individuals reject existing goals and means but replace them with new one in desire to bring about revolutionary change.
Assess the usefulness of subcultural theories in explaining ‘subcultural crime and deviance’ in society today. The term subcultural crime and deviance is another way of describing the violation of laws or social norms by various groups within society. These groups have been explored in depth by many sociologists and they have attempted to explain subcultural crime and deviance through the existence of deviant subcultures. Originally, the work of Merton surrounding strain theory claimed that when there was a strain between the goals of society and the means of obtaining the goals then people would turn to crime. However subcultural theorists developed this idea claiming that people experiencing strain seek different forms of success.
To achieve his purpose, Moten mainly uses ethos to appeal to his readers. By mentioning that he is a co-founder of an antiviolence organization and by sharing his firsthand experience working with youths in prison establishes his credibility. He also appeals to his readers' emotions by recounting the Newton and South Capitol Street massacres. Motten in his essay addresses the counter argument to his thesis, the idea that violence shown in the entertainment media does not influence people to commit crimes. He refutes this claim by saying that in current times many people have become victim to violent acts similar to the ones shown in violent video games and movies.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed Pedagogy of the Oppressed Summary Chapter One In chapter one of Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (1970) writes in depth about how oppression occurs in our society. By being oppressed these individuals lose a sense of humanity resulting in dehumanization. Humanity entails qualities that make humans such as freedom, integrity, compassion, and understanding. Both oppressors and the oppressed are capable of both humanization and dehumanization characteristics. Dehumanization occurs when those who are robbed of their humanity and those who rob others of their humanity through violence, oppression, and injustice.
“Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of social, political, and economic resources within a social collective, such as a nation.” (Krieken, R. et al. 2014, p. 204). Sociologists have identified a number of variables which have an influence on social inequality. These include; class, status, power, social capital and cultural capital. Krieken, R. et al.
This movie shows us the different point of view of people in our society; it gives us an insight of the stereotypes that have built within our society and within the world. It invites us to see and understand how such a small stereotype and negative attitude can go a long way and affect people differently. In the movie Crash it is apparent that emotions run high in the tussle of racial and ethnic inequality such as frustration, aggression, and authoritative personalities, however the symbolic integrationist perspective present solutions to the problems of racial and ethnic inequality. According to Diana Kendall in Social Problems In a Diverse Society, the frustration-aggression hypothesis is “Individuals who are frustrated in their efforts to achieve a highly desired goal tend to develop a pattern of aggression toward others (51).” In other words, when people feel as though they are being prevented from achieving a goal, their frustration will usually turn into aggression. In the movie Crash, Farhad, the Iranian storeowner tried to live his best to pursue the American dream by running his own store.
Crime can affect the way individuals perceive others generally creating bias and prejudice within a person’s frame of thought; hopefully we can make someone think a little differently. Social structure theories generally put forth that the disadvantaged economic class is a primary cause of crime. It states that neighborhoods which are “lower class” create forces of strain, disorganization, and frustration that lead to the action of crime, they have used these to put them into classes; social disorganization, strain theory and cultural deviance. Social disorganization theory suggests that slum dwellers violate the law because they live in areas where social control has broken down. 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.
An explanation of how the video represents the element of criminal behavior which is learned through societal interaction is to follow. People often wonder as to the reasons and motives for why criminals commit crimes. The social process theory provides an explanation for certain behaviors based upon environmental influences. The “Tent City, Arizona” video points to certain criminal behaviors being learned through social interaction. “Tent City, Arizona” was opened 1993 by Sheriff Joe Arpaio was able to get several military tents.
First I would like to start by giving a brief definition of what or better said – how, criminology differs from victimology. Criminology is more concerned with the origin of crime along the extent and nature of crime. Criminology places an emphasis on studying the offender, the crimes, and the motives behind the crime. It is also the study of how the public and criminal justice system responds to the offender. Victimology plays a very important role in criminology and is used to determine what the victim’s behavior has to do with their risk of being victimized.
These images are what shape our beliefs, determine what we consider is good or bad and who we associate with goodness or badness. Schaefer (2008) states the media plays a crucial role in shaping people’s perceptions by transmitting messages that create false images or stereotypes of groups of people that become accepted as reality (pg. 167). Race discrimination, through stereotyping, provides the foundation to limit employment opportunities which contributes to the plight of poverty. In essence the media’s attempt to highlight so called newsworthy issues, dominated by black figures engaged in criminal activity or drug abuse, allows for continued discrimination and development of additional negative