Criminology

Please answer the four questions individually below are the questions and some information and videos regarding the topics.

1.In what ways does Marxist criminology challenge traditional perspectives on crime and criminal behavior, particularly in relation to the role of capitalism, social inequality, and power dynamics in shaping criminal activities? How can an understanding of Marxist criminology contribute to a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to addressing crime and social justice issues in contemporary society?

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2.How does labeling theory explain the process by which individuals are labeled as criminals and the subsequent impact of societal reactions on their behavior and self-perception? Discuss the key concepts of social reaction theory, such as primary and secondary deviance, stigma, and the labeling process, and analyze how these concepts can be applied to real-world examples of crime and criminal justice practices.

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3.How does labeling theory explain the concept of “self-fulfilling prophecy” in the context of criminal behavior? Discuss how the process of being labeled as a criminal or deviant can influence an individual’s future actions and interactions with society

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4.How does critical criminology critique the traditional criminal justice system and its role in perpetuating social inequalities and injustices?

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Primarily concerns how personal identities of individuals are highly influenced by the way that society or authorities tend to categorize or label them as offenders, and as a result, how an offender becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and confirm their status as criminals or delinquents by increasing the frequency or seriousness of their illegal activity, also known as social reaction theory.

Please watch the following video regarding the looking glass self by Charles Cooley. How does this affect our identity?

Effects of Labeling and Social Reaction Theory on Society

Diversion, decriminalization, and deinstitutionalization (known as the Ds). Labeling can lead to isolation. Certain individuals can be labeled by authorities or society and then hated by mainstream groups, which can lead to isolation and results in a person having only other bad persons to hang out with. This creates a feedback system in which the person begins associating with others who will increase their propensity for illegal activity. Many strain theorists claim that certain demographic factors may make it possible that the offender will be caught and labeled by authorities. So, social reaction and labeling theory deals with the disproportionate rate of labeling members of the lower class and minorities as offenders who then become enmeshed in the criminal justice system.

Marxist Theories

The focus of Marxist theories of crime is on the fact that people from lower classes are arrested and charged with crimes at a disproportionate rate. Marxist theories emphasize the effects of a capitalistic society on the way justice is administered: They describe how society is divided by money and power.

Watch the following video regarding Marxist and Conflict theories of crime. According to these theories who in society is most likely to commit crime? Why?

Other Marxist Theories

Willem Bonger emphasized the relationship between economy and crime. He noted that crime came about because capitalism caused a difference in the way individuals felt about society and their place in it. He argued that the contemporary economic structure, particularly capitalism, was the cause of crime as it promoted a system based on selfishness and greed, which manifests itself in competition among individuals. Greed is obvious in interactions and dealings carried out for the purpose of obtaining goods and resources. Competition and selfishness led to more isolation, individualism, and egoistic tendencies: These three factors promote a strong focus on self-interests at the expense of communitarianism and societal well-being.

Richard Quinney claimed that crime was caused by the capitalistic economic structure and the emphasis on materials that this system produced. Quinney further proposed that the even crimes committed by the upper classes are caused by capitalism: Such acts are crimes of domination and repression by the elite to keep the lower classes down or to protect their property, wealth, and power. A good example of this would be “White-Collar Crimes”.

Conflict Theories of Crime

These theories assume that all societies are in a process of constant change which inevitably creates conflicts among various groups: Much of the conflict is due to the competition to have each groups interests promoted, protected, and often put into law. Groups tend to differ significantly in the amount of power or resources that they have, so laws can be created and enforced such that powerful groups can exert dominance over the weaker groups. This state of inequality and resulting oppression creates a sense of injustice among members of the less powerful groups, thereby leading to crime.

Thorsten Sellin stated that separate cultures diverge from a unitary, mainstream set of norms: He studied the state of cultural diversity in industrial societies, by applying various types of models including Marxist and conflict perspectives. He claimed that separate cultures will diverge from a unitary, mainstream set of norms and values held by the dominant group in society, and will establish their own norms. Sellin stated that more unequal the balance of power, the worse the conflict tends to be.

George Vold claimed that people are naturally social and inevitably form groups out of shared needs, values, and interests: As various groups compete with each other for power, each group competes for control of political processes, including the power of creating and enforcing laws that suppress the other groups.

Austin Turk assumed the competition for power among various social groups as the primary cause of crime: Turk emphasized the idea that a certain level of conflict among groups can be beneficial as it reminds citizens to consider whether the status quo or conventional standards can be improved. Conflict among various components of the criminal justice system: For example, conflict among formal agencies leads to even more frustration and inefficiency when it comes to fighting crime and ensuring that justice is served.

Watch the following video regarding conflict theories of crime, what are the 6 propositions made by Quinney regarding crime in society?