CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE ON DEVIANCE alienates a person from his or her

humanity.
OVERVIEW  In a capitalist society, the worker’s
-Emphasizes social inequality and power alienation from his and her humanity
differentials occurs because the worker can only
express labor, a fundamental social aspect
-Most powerful members of society are said to of personal individuality, through a
determine group norms and the definition privately owned system of industrial
production in which each worker is an
-Relate deviance to capitalism, pointing to the instrument, a thing, not a person.
relationship between race, ethnicity, and crime  However, Marx used the term
lumpenproletariat to describe that layer of
Karl Marx
the working class, unlikely to ever achieve
 Alienation is the systemic result of living in class consciousness, lost to socially useful
a socially stratified society, because being production, and, therefore, of no use in
a mechanistic part of a social class revolutionary struggle or an actual
alienates a person from his or her impediment to the realization of a classless
humanity. society
 In a capitalist society, the worker’s  Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a philosopher,
alienation from his and her humanity author, social theorist, and an economist.
occurs because the worker can only He is famous for his theories about
express labor, a fundamental social aspect capitalism and communism.
of personal individuality, through a  Marx, in conjunction with Friedrich Engels,
privately owned system of industrial published The Communist Manifesto in
production in which each worker is an 1848; later in life, he wrote Das Kapital
instrument, a thing, not a person. (the first volume was published in Berlin in
 However, Marx used the term 1867; the second and third volumes were
lumpenproletariat to describe that layer of published posthumously in 1885 and 1894,
the working class, unlikely to ever achieve respectively), which discussed the labor
class consciousness, lost to socially useful theory of value.
production, and, therefore, of no use in  Ironically, Marx was eloquent in describing
revolutionary struggle or an actual the exploitation of the working class while
impediment to the realization of a classless personally failing to maintain a job for a
society significant period of time.
 Marx himself did not write about deviant
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a philosopher, behavior specifically, but he wrote about
author, social theorist, and an economist. alienation amongst the proletariat, as well
He is famous for his theories about as between the proletariat and the finished
capitalism and communism. product, which causes conflict, and thus
Marx, in conjunction with Friedrich Engels, deviant behavior.
published The Communist Manifesto in
1848; later in life, he wrote Das Kapital Michel Foucault
(the first volume was published in Berlin in • Michel Foucault (1926–1984) was a
1867; the second and third volumes were French historian and philosopher,
published posthumously in 1885 and 1894, associated with the structuralist and post-
respectively), which discussed the labor structuralist movements.
theory of value. • He has had strong influence not only (or
even primarily) in philosophy but also in a
Ironically, Marx was eloquent in describing wide range of humanistic and social
the exploitation of the working class while scientific disciplines.
personally failing to maintain a job for a • Foucault's entire philosophy is based on
significant period of time. the assumption that human knowledge and
existence are profoundly historical. He
Marx himself did not write about deviant argues that what is most human about
behavior specifically, but he wrote about man is his history.
alienation amongst the proletariat, as well • He discusses the notions of history,
as between the proletariat and the finished change and historical method at some
product, which causes conflict, and thus length at various points in his career.
deviant behavior.
 Alienation is the systemic result of living in POWER and EQUALITY and SOCIAL
a socially stratified society, because being STRATIFICATION
a mechanistic part of a social class
Power and inequality determine the PARTICIPANTS
socioeconomic conditions of different 1. Police
classes. 2. Prosecution
In social science and politics, power is the 3. Court
ability to influence the behavior of people. 4. Correction
Social inequality refers to relational 5. Community
processes in society that have the effect of GOALS of PUNISHMENT
limiting or harming a group’s social status, • GENERAL DETTERENCE
social class, and social circle. • SPECIFIC DETTERENCE
Social inequalities exist between ethnic or • INCAPACITATION
religious groups, classes and countries,
making the concept a global phenomenon.
Stratification is a process of interaction or
differentiation whereby some people come
to rank higher than others.
1. Social stratification is a trait of society, not
simply a reflection of individual differences.
2. Social stratification carries over from
generation to generation.
3. Social stratification is universal but
variable.
4. Social stratification involves not just
inequality but beliefs as well. ETRIBUTION/JUST DESERT
CAPITALIST CLASS and WORKING • QUITY/RESTITUTION
CLASS • REHABILITATION
Marx's conflict theory focused on the • DIVERSION
conflict between two primary classes. • RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
* Each class consists of a group of people WHITE-COLLAR and ORGANIZED
bound by mutual interest and a degree of CRIME
property ownership, often supported by the White-Collar Crimes
state. Conflict theorist also look at the types of
• Marx theorized that the bourgeoisie, a crimes committed by members of the two
minority within the population, would use classes. The working class is more likely to
their influence to oppress the proletariat, commit so-called street crime. Such as
the majority class. robbery, assault, or murder. Members of
• The thinking goes that the elite would set the elite are less likely to omit acts of
up systems of laws, traditions and other violence but more likely to engage in
social structures in order to further support White-collar crime, or nonviolent crime
their own dominance while preventing committed by capitalist class during the
others from joining their ranks. These laws course of their occupation.
are detrimental to working class. Example: White Collar Criminal acts
• Marx further believe that as the working include embezzlement insiders stock
class and the poor were subjected to trading, price fixing, and breaking
worsening conditions, a collective regulatory laws
consciousness would bring inequality to Organized Crime
light and potentially result in revolt. There is also organized crime, which refer
PROLETARIAT- Includes those who to illegal goods or services being provided
considered class or pored working. by a business or group of people. It
BOURGEOISIE- Represent the members includes selling illegal drugs, fencing
of the society who holds the majority of the stolen items, loan sharking, and more.
wealth and means. Most people would probably associate
organized crime with mafia. While the
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM mafia is the good example , they are not
The criminal justice system is the set of only criminal organizations that commit
agencies and processes established by parallel to blue-collar crime, those who
governments to control crime and impose have fewer legitimate opportunities are
penalties on those who violate more likely to [participate in this type of
GOALS crime, and for those who are caught,
1. To protect individuals and society. punishment can be severe.
2. To reduce crime by bringing offenders to
justice.
3. To increase the security of the people.
 Official figures show women simply
do commit fewer crimes
FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE  Most crimes committed by women are
The feminist theory of crime argues that trivial
society is patriarchal and the control of  Sociology is dominated by men
women by men discourages female (malestream effect)
deviance. Sociologists in the past have
paid little attention to female deviance, Other feminists writers developed Smart’s
instead tending to focus on male deviance. point with the ‘chivalry’ factor: Campbell’s
Feminists also point out that female (1981) self-report study found that:
victimization was ignored due to the  Female suspects were more likely to
invisibility of women, identified by receive a caution than men who’d be
Newborn. The feminist view is that male prosecuted
dominance in society was reflected in  The rate of male to female juvenile
mainstream theories of crime, known as offending  was higher (girls committed
‘malestream’ sociology. more offences) than official figures
indicated
The feminist theory of crime argues that
society is patriarchal and the control of Hood (1989) also found evidence of the
women by men discourages female chivalry factor when comparing the
deviance. Sociologists in the past have sentencing of men and women – found
paid little attention to female deviance, men were more likely to be given custodial
instead tending to focus on male deviance. sentences (prison) than women. BUT – as
Feminists also point out that female with all things there’s opposing evidence to
victimization was ignored due to the the ‘chivalry’ factor:
invisibility of women, identified by  Box (1981) reviewed self-report data and
Newborn. The feminist view is that male said the findings were the same as official
dominance in society was reflected in figures
mainstream theories of crime, known as  Farrington and Morris (1983) research
‘malestream’ sociology. found that though men do receive harsher
sentences than women, this distinctions
Sex role theory – (this is an early, shrinks in relation to the severity of the
androcentric, sociological theory which offence committed
attempts to explain gender differences in
crime – it’s not a feminist theory) argues  Walklate (1995) research found female
that because boys and girls are socialised rape victims are face a tough rather than
differently boys are more likely to become chivalrous court system as there’s an
criminal than girls. Sutherland (1949) inevitability in the system which forces
identifies how girls are socialised in a women to prove their respectability before
manner which is far more supervisory and they are believed
controlled, this limits the number of  Heidensohn (1985) sees the legal system
‘opportunities’ to be deviant. as seeing convicted women as
being doubly deviant and therefore get
In contrast, boys are socialised to be tougher sentences than men
rougher, tougher and aggressive which  Smart (1997) argues the criminal justice
makes deviancy more likely. Albert Cohen system first views women through the lens
(the subcultural theorist) identified of their track record of being a mother, wife
socialisation as a difficult time for boys, and daughter
especially if there wasn’t a male role model
in their lives-in 2013 this perspective was Causes of female crime and deviance
resurrected -which can lead to boys joining are varied:
gangs in order to establish their  Lombrso (1895) – (he wasn’t a feminist)
masculinity. viewed women as having less
physiological characteristics of the usual
The above reasons were used to explain male criminal
the low incidence of women in official  Adler (1975) – said women’s liberation had
crime statistics and subsequently in created more criminals as women were
criminological studies. In contrast adopting more male characteristics as a
Feminists such as Smart (1977) gave the means of fulfilling male social roles – just
following reasons for the low incidence of thinking of the rise of ‘ladette’
women in criminology (the study of crime).  Box and Hale questioned Adler arguing the
increase of female criminality is more likely
do to inadequate welfare, unemployment inability of the ego and superego to control
and part-time work as most female the urges of the id
criminals are from a working-class COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT THEORY
background The second level is called the
conventional level and is reached at the
The above points are developed further by end of middle childhood. During this stage,
social conformity. Hiedensohn (1985) said: moral reasoning is based on the
patriarchal societies control women far expectations that the child’s family and
more than men by controlling women: significant others have for him or her.
 women at home – do all the caring, The third level of moral reasoning, the
cooking and cleaning post-conventional level, is reached during
 women in public – can’t go out socially like early adulthood at which point individuals
men as labelled as ‘slags’ are able to go beyond social conventions.
 women at work – controlled by male That is, they value the laws of the social
superiors system. People who do not progress
through these stages may become stuck in
PSYCHOLOGICAL Theories of Deviance their moral development and, as a result,
Conduct Disorder- become deviants or criminals.
One case study of a psychological theory LEARNING THEORY
of deviance is the case of conduct For example, an individual who observes a
disorder. Conduct disorder is a friend shoplift an item and not get caught
psychological disorder diagnosed in sees that the friend is not punished for
childhood that presents itself through a their actions and they are rewarded by
repetitive and persistent pattern of getting to keep the stolen item. That
behavior in which the basic rights of others individual might be more likely to shoplift,
and major age-appropriate norms are then, if he believes that he will be
violated. This childhood disorder is often rewarded with the same outcome.
seen as the precursor to antisocial According to this theory, if this is how
personality disorder. deviant behavior is developed, then taking
Psychological Trauma- PTSD is away the reward value of the behavior can
frequently invoked in cases of child abuse, eliminate deviant behavior.
in which the psychological trauma of HUMANISTIC VIEW
having been abused as a child can a. Human ability, growth, & potential
contribute to deviant behavior in the future. b. People have free will to make choices
PTSD is also discussed in cases of about their lives (opposite view: biological)
deviant, violent behavior on the part of c. Includes people who “feel like a nobody,
individuals who have experienced trauma but want to be somebody”, or someone
while in the military. who is too narcissistic
Psychodynamic Perspective- However, d. Counselors & psychotherapists
if the aggressive impulse is not controlled, PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO
or is repressed to an unusual degree, DEVIANCE HAVE SOME KEY THINGS
some aggression can “leak-out” of the IN COMMON
unconscious and a person can engage in FOURTH
random acts of violence. Freud referred to These defective or abnormal mental
this as “displaced aggression”, (see processes could be caused by a variety of
Englander, 2007; Bartol, 2002). things, including a diseased mind,
Behavioral Theories- These experiences, inappropriate learning, improper
proponents of the behaviorist tradition conditioning, and the absence of
maintain, might include observing appropriate role models or the strong
friends or family being rewarded for violent presence and influence of inappropriate
behavior, or even observing the role models.
glorification of violence in the media. CHICAGO PERSPECTIVE/SOCIAL
Studies of family life, for example, show DISORGANIZATION THEORY
that aggressive children often model the History
violent behaviors of their parents. Studies • Social Disorganization theory was first
have also found that people who live in developed in the studies of urban crime
violent communities learn to model the and delinquency.
aggressive behavior of their neighbors • The urban ecology of crime says that the
(Bartol, 2002). city is analogous to natural ecological
Psychoanalytic Theory- Freud suggested communities of plants and animals.
that much deviance results from the
• When a plant or animal community is increase pressure on residence to flee
invaded by a new species, there is rapid decrease ensuring more stable and
change in the community. improved communities. However, it is
• This competition for scarce resources when employment opportunities remain
intensifies, the invading species gain low that economic deprivation grows which
dominance, and the original population is could lead to social disorganization, which
forced to either migrate to a new habitat or in turn leads to crime (Shaw and McKay,
be destroyed altogether. 1942). Other theories such as the Strain
• This is what happens in the cities as well: Theory (Merton, 1957) support the impact
when expanding commerce and industry that poverty can have on a communities
invade spaces once reserved as crime rates as due to lack of employment,
residential areas, its residents are pushed opportunities people turn to other methods
to the outer edges of the community of fulfilling their financial and material
boundaries. needs in an anti social way if this cannot
• The Chicago School of Criminology, be done pro-socially such as through
named because it came from the employment.
University of Chicago, tried to identify Racial Heterogeneity is related to the
aspects of crime that come from outside of diverseness of races within a society. The
a person. The origins of social social disorganization theory proposes the
disorganization theory date back to the crime occurs when the methods of social
early 1900s. control are weakened (Sun, Triplett and
Gainey, 2004).
Proponents: Clifford Shaw and Henry D. • Interestingly it is racial heterogeneity and
Mckay (1942) urbanization that are predicted to weaken
the control of individuals to most, due to
The Social Disorganization Theory is a lack of communication and interaction
macro-level theory that focuses on larger among residents. It is the lack of
units of analysis, such as neighborhoods, knowledge that allows for the racial
schools, cities and even states or separation along with the media often
countries. This is a unique contribution using particular races as scapegoats for
because it is so clear that some places are certain crimes almost creating a moral
safer than others and deviance is rare, panic within the communities singling out a
controlled or hidden and that all sorts of certain race which would then increase the
deviances flourish in other places. likelihood of their engagement in criminal
Concentric Zone Model- also known as activity (Bowling, 2002).
the Burgess Model or the CCD model, is Residential mobility refers to the
one of the earliest theoretical models to frequency of which individuals change their
explain urban social structures. It was residence. Residential mobility has proven
created by sociologist Ernest Burgess in to help to explain the social disorganization
1925. theory, it has successfully explained
Central Business District- is the automobile theft (Rice and Smith, 2002),
commercial and business center of a city. gang crime (Lane and Meeker, 2000) and
Zone II (Zone in Transition)- areas where sexual re-offending (Mustaine, Tewksbury
the highest rates of delinquency were and Stengel ,2006). Shaw and McKay
found. These areas have physical decay, (1942)
poor housing, broken families, high rates • Also noted that socially disorganized
of illegitimate births and infant deaths, high communities tended to produce “criminal
residential mobility, and racial/ethnic traditions” that could be passed to
heterogeneity, residents had low income, successive generations of youths, due to
low education, and menial employment, the lack of residential mobility; criminal
high rates of alcoholism, drug addiction , subcultures developed and overrun
prostitution, and mental illness communities. It was hard for people to re-
ELEMENTS: locate for reasons such as financial and
Poverty- The state of being extremely fears of leaving that community.
poor. Such a lack of wealth is often seen to • Residential mobility and poverty were often
be due to the lack of employment seen as interrelating factors in research on
opportunities. Such incentives like the the social disorganization theory as they
Princes Trust and Catch 22 focus on were both significant predictors of
poorer areas of society and seek to delinquency but were stronger predictors
increase the employment opportunities for when looked at together (Blau and Blau,
young people there. Jenson (2003) found 1982).
that when employment opportunities
Strength and Weaknesses
STRENGTHS
• Gives people a better understanding of Gender Role Conflict Theory
why crimes occur in certain areas • Devaluation – Negative critiques of self
• Can predict street level crime •
• The theory is revamped and reformulated essening of
to have collective efficacy, among other personal
concepts status
WEAKNESSES • Restrictions – confinement of stereotypic
• States versus countries norm
• Cannot explain white collar crime and •
other types of crimes imiting and
• It doesn't explain why crime occurs in controlling
areas that are not socially organized identities
• Violations – Harm from deviating
GENDER PERSPECTIVE •
Sex- Permanent and immutable biological nner
characteristics common to individuals in all psychic
societies and cultures conflict
Gender- It a sociocultural expression of
particular characteristics and roles that are
associated with certain groups of people
with reference to their sex and sexuality

Gender perspective focuses particularly on

Policy Context: A strategy for making

What is gender?
Social Construct
1. A cultural and social identity defined as
masculine or feminine, based on sex
characteristics.
2. It is a process of identifying appropriate
behaviours and expressions, as well as
managing and displaying certain
characteristics associated with the identity
3. There is a social need to distinguish and
identify individuals into certain categories.
4. An institutional system in which to accept
label and act accordingly.