Below are the answers that I thought were the best to the three questions I posed about "Gang Leader for a Day." It was not easy making my selections, and as you will note I accepted more than one for each question and I did some editing. I would say, overall, the YELLOW FAMILY did the best job. Remember that I (or the families) may make up final exam questions from these answers, so print out or copy these answers and keep them with your other notes.
1. What did you find was the MOST SURPRISING FACT OR OBSERVATION, AND WHY?
YELLOW FAMILY: One of the most surprising things that we found in "Gang Leader for a Day" was the fact that there is a huge difference between what sociologists think goes on and what is actually happening. Even though gangs and poor communities have been studied for decades, their culture is still not well understood. It was interesting to see how the community worked together in ways similar to other social structures. Venkatesh describes the Black Kings as "the de facto administration of Robert Taylor." Though the gang did participate in illegal activities, it also helped protect and provide for people in their buildings. Most sociological literature tends to portray gangs as "a nuisance at best, and more typically a major menace." This book shows that there is more than one side to the story. Yes, gangs do interact with drugs, prostitution, and violence, but that is not all that they do.
GREEN FAMILY: Following up on the Yellow family's answer above -- "...how accepting the commmunity was of the gang. Because the community could not depend on the government or the police for protection and for what they needed, they turned to the gang instead. Why? Because they have money and are able to do what needs to be done....The gang gave the community a sense of security and protection. They were an accepted part of the community.
"...people in the community not only socialized with the gang members but also became close acquaintances....They even got together for birthday parties, barbecues, and basketball touranments."
BLACK FAMILY: We were surprised by how organized and business-like the gang was. The fact that there was an implicit hierarchy and each member of the various hierarchies had different responsibilities and even different salaries was surprising.
RED FAMILY: We also found it surprising that the gang members really adhered to values, despite all of their criminal activity. Respect, loyalty, and honesty among members were incredibly important, and the sense of community was strong. JT always obeyed his mother; she had authority over him.
2. What do you believe is the MOST INSIGHTFUL PASSAGE IN THE BOOK (no more than a paragraph long), AND WHY?
YELLOW FAMILY: "We live in a community, understand? Not the projects -- I hate that word. We live in a community. We need a helping hand now and then, but who doesn't? Everyone in this building helps as much as they can. We share our food, just like I'm doing with you. My son says you're writing about his life -- well, you may want to write about this community, and how we help each other. And when I come over to your house, you'll share with me. You'll cook for me if I'm hungry. But when you're here, you're in my home and my community. And we'll take care of you." (p. 43)
Ms. Mae's quote is, arguably, one of the most insightful passages in the book. It shows how the resident of the Robert Taylor Homes collectively struggled to survive and "get by" with a marginalized, disadvantaged, and largely misrepresented status. Perhaps more significantly, it remarks on the disconnect that exists between this impoverished African-American community that is residentially, economically, and socially sepregated and isolated and mainstream society. We often think of ourselves as "normal" and essentially different from the poor, and this quote shows how these individuals are merely living under different, demanding, and often degrading conditions rather than distinctly separate lives.
I am also awarding the BLUE FAMILY a bonus point for basically the same quote and analysis. I just thought the YELLOW FAMILY expressed it better.
BLACK FAMILY: "For all the ways in which I had become a rogue sociologist, breaking conventions and flouting the rules, perhaps the most unconventional thing I ever did was embrace the idea that I could learn so much, absorb so many lessons, and gain so many experiences at the side of a man who was so far removed from my academic world." (p. 283)
This shows us that we can learn a lot from people who are outside of our own little "worlds." Even if we believe that we can't learn from someone, we need to take the time, like Venkatesh, to get to know that person or group because in the end they really could change our lives and teach us lessons about their way of life. J.T. really did teach Venkatesh a lot that he would never have learned without that personal contact.
3. What do you believe is the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON to be drawn from the book in terms of understanding and dealing with gangs?
YELLOW FAMILY: The most important lesson we gleaned from the book was about the general complexity of the gangs and the symbiotic relationship between them and impoverished communites like the Robert Taylor Homes. Gangs are more than simply violent organizations; they are related to drug use and abuse in inner cities, and to issues springing from poor housing and neighborhoods. Any attempt to prevent or stop gang violence has to encompass a multifaceted approach to all levels of life in these poor communities: education, job opportunities, drug dependency, the important role of informal social networks, etc. Thus, Venkatesh's work goes deeper, beyond explanations relying on stereotypes of gang life, to examine the related problems of poverty and gang violence.
RED FAMILY: The most important leasson from this book is not to judge a book by its cover. Most people associate gangs and their members with violence, a lack of education, drugs, danger, and a disregrad for anyone else. Venkatesh shows us that these stereotypes aren't necessarily true: J.T. was a college graduate, many members were taking college courses, they bought school supplies for the neighborhood kids, gave money to people in the community, and protected people and businesses. Rival gangs even showed each other espect by going to each other's basketball tournaments.
GREEN FAMILY: The most important lesson of the book is that one cannot discern anything of real value that will lead to a deeper understanding by asking simplisitic questions and evaluating dry data. Although we shouldn't all resort to the exact methods of Sudhir Venkatesh, actual interviews should be conducted and sociologists should keep the following in the front of their minds at all times: the subjects that they are evaluating are human beings, not statistics.
________________________________
So, here is what each family earned for this exercise:
YELLOW FAMILY: (Frances, Patrick, Cynthia, Anna) 7 points + 3 bonus points.
GREEN FAMILY: (Michaela, Sarah, Lauren A., David) 7 points + 2 bonus points.
BLACK FAMILY: (Allie, Katie, Alex, Sterling, Meggan) 7 points + 2 bonus points.
RED FAMILY: (Sami, Taylor, Kirsten) 7 points + 2 bonus point
BLUE FAMILY: (Lauren W., Hannah, Caroline) 7 points + 1 bonus point.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Follow-Up Points to "Crime Types'" Reports
Below are my follow-up points to the families' reports on Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, & 7. By bringing these points out, please note that I am not implying that the families did not cover some of them. They did. I just wanted to give further emphasis to some points. And these few points obviously do not cover everything in these chapters. Finally, please copy these points or print them out. I may make up some final exam questions based on them.
CHAPTER 2: HOMICIDE AND ASSAULT
A. Most homicides start out as an assault (or heated argument) which escalates to a homicide due to the intensity of the argument, encouragement of a crowd, or especially the availablity of a weapon (usually a gun). In general, there is also a significant involvement of alcohol and/or drugs in violent incidents.
B. Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization" comes up in a couple articles -- how professional hitmen employ "denial of victim," "denial of injury," and "denial of responisbility" in rationalizing their killing as a job. Also, an interesting application is how women who are battered rationalize the behavior of their abusers, in a sense neutralizing the responsibility of their spouses.
C. An interesting, although minor point, appears in the article on gang violence when a gang member was asked what he believes needs to be done to eliminate gangs. He responded that the only way to do that would be to kill them, which I do not believe is a morally viable option. But it reveals that all these young people know is violence, so for them it makes sense that they would see violence as the only solution to gangs.
D. A final point that comes through loud and clear is the role of guns, especially in assaults which escalate to homicides. This would seem to suggest that gun control might help to reduce the incidence of homicides.
CHAPTER 3: VIOLENT SEX CRIMES
A. Important to note that rape is often committed not for the purpose of sexual gratification but out of a desire to dominate and control -- it is as much a violent act as it is a sexual act.
B. There are many categories or types of rape: stranger rape, gang rape, but also some relatively new ones such as acquaintance (or date) rape and wife rape.
C. Dabney outlines some theories of rape in the introduction: (1) gender inequality, (2) pornography, (3) social disorganization, (4) legitimation of violence theory (pp. 82-3). They all make some sense, although I would question the correlations on which gender inequality and pornography theories are based. For example, gender inequality predicts that rape would be higher in patriarchal (male-dominant) societies. But Japan is very patriarchal, yet has a very low rape rate.
D. "Riding the Bull at Gilley's" article strongly challenges the "psychopathology" view -- that "rape is the result of idiosyncratic mental disease and that it often includes an uncontrollable sexual impulse." (p. 91)That is, there are not just some sick men out there. Rather, there is a cultural dimension -- how rape is rationalized as male perogative and women are stereotyped as sex objects mainly.
E. This cultural or social dimension also comes through in the gang rape on campus article. To combat this problem, it is suggested that men need an attitude adjustment. And in the article on wife rape, it is suggested that men need to be taught not to treat women as sex objects, even if they happen to be their wives and feel entitled to treat them that way.
CHAPTER 4: ROBBERY
A. There is much in this chapter that challenges the rational choice theory. Robbery is an opportunistic crime which often does not involve much planning.
B. In the "Stick-up, Street Culture,..." article, the authors talk about the cultural dimension in which robbers operate. That these individuals are driven by the need to spend to fit in; seek pleasure in a largely pleasureless world. This notion of "life as a party" is sustained by fast cash. Much in this article also lends itself to "anomie/strain" theory.
1. The carjackers interviewed also had this need for fast cash, to keep up their "life as a party."
C. Techniques of neutralization seem to be employed by robbers.
D. Robbers tend to have long criminal careers and high rates of recidivism (70%).
CHAPTER 5: BURGLARY
A. Should note that there has been a pretty steady decline in burglary rates since the early 1970s (at least through the 1990s). Also, many other developed countries have higher rates of burglary than the U.S. does.
B. In the section on the "Cognitive Aspects of Burglary" several points are made to suggest that burglars are not the most rationally oriented criminals. In addition to not planning, drugs and alcohol are involved in the majority of cases: "...56% of incacerated burglars were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their most recent offense."
C. Some support for "differential association" theory in that burglars often work in groups and even have "apprentices" who learn the ropes. Women are more likely to work in groups than men. Also, the article on female burglars confirms my criticism of the feminist perspective -- that women burglars tend to get more lenient treatment in the criminal justice system rather than harsher treatment, as some feminist criminologists claim.
D. In the article on the stolen property system, the authors make a very good point: that we need to look beyond the individual criminal and recognize the broader context of burglary, which includes the stolen property system which clearly facilitates this criminal act. *See p. 194.
CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC ORDER CRIME
A. Important to note that these crimes are categorized as "malum prohibitum" offenses -- that is, offenses defined by law but not necessarily recognized as inherently evil (as are "malum in se" offenses). Also, they are classified as "victimless" crimes in the sense that there is a willing exchange of desired goods (drugs or sex) between individuals.
1. The consensual nature of these crimes makes them prone to underreporting and it complicates the job of law enforcement, which often has to resort to undercover operations to apprehend the criminals.
B. The economic and social costs of the drug war have been tremendous.
C. There definitely is a SUBCULTURAL aspect to public order crime -- that drug dealers, addicts, pimps, prostitutes, etc. inhabit a world where these illegal activities are seen as acceptable, which of course lends itself to "differential association" theory. Dabney also mentioned the role of "normative neutralizations" in rationaliszing the behavior.
D. The "Drugs-Crime" article basically concludes that the causal relation between drugs and crime is a two-way street: drugs cause crime and crime causes drugs.
E. Finally, in the article on hard-core heroin addicts, a typology is brought out which I believe contains at least one crucial point. The authors make an important point about the effects of heroin and when it is most destructive:
"In sum, contrary to popular belief, heroin use does not inevitably lead to a deterioration of lifestyle. Rather, the physiological dynamics of narcotics use tend to be the most destabalizing under conditions where life structure is already weak and incapable of accommodating the physiological demands imposed by increased tolerance." (p. 274) -- that is, in regard to the effects of any drug, one must consider the larger social circumstances in which the drug is taken and not just the chemical properties of the drug itself.
____________________________
That's it. Remember to incorporate the above points in your notes. And check out the previous blog post for the details of the family activity in connection with reading "Gang Leader for a Day."
CHAPTER 2: HOMICIDE AND ASSAULT
A. Most homicides start out as an assault (or heated argument) which escalates to a homicide due to the intensity of the argument, encouragement of a crowd, or especially the availablity of a weapon (usually a gun). In general, there is also a significant involvement of alcohol and/or drugs in violent incidents.
B. Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization" comes up in a couple articles -- how professional hitmen employ "denial of victim," "denial of injury," and "denial of responisbility" in rationalizing their killing as a job. Also, an interesting application is how women who are battered rationalize the behavior of their abusers, in a sense neutralizing the responsibility of their spouses.
C. An interesting, although minor point, appears in the article on gang violence when a gang member was asked what he believes needs to be done to eliminate gangs. He responded that the only way to do that would be to kill them, which I do not believe is a morally viable option. But it reveals that all these young people know is violence, so for them it makes sense that they would see violence as the only solution to gangs.
D. A final point that comes through loud and clear is the role of guns, especially in assaults which escalate to homicides. This would seem to suggest that gun control might help to reduce the incidence of homicides.
CHAPTER 3: VIOLENT SEX CRIMES
A. Important to note that rape is often committed not for the purpose of sexual gratification but out of a desire to dominate and control -- it is as much a violent act as it is a sexual act.
B. There are many categories or types of rape: stranger rape, gang rape, but also some relatively new ones such as acquaintance (or date) rape and wife rape.
C. Dabney outlines some theories of rape in the introduction: (1) gender inequality, (2) pornography, (3) social disorganization, (4) legitimation of violence theory (pp. 82-3). They all make some sense, although I would question the correlations on which gender inequality and pornography theories are based. For example, gender inequality predicts that rape would be higher in patriarchal (male-dominant) societies. But Japan is very patriarchal, yet has a very low rape rate.
D. "Riding the Bull at Gilley's" article strongly challenges the "psychopathology" view -- that "rape is the result of idiosyncratic mental disease and that it often includes an uncontrollable sexual impulse." (p. 91)That is, there are not just some sick men out there. Rather, there is a cultural dimension -- how rape is rationalized as male perogative and women are stereotyped as sex objects mainly.
E. This cultural or social dimension also comes through in the gang rape on campus article. To combat this problem, it is suggested that men need an attitude adjustment. And in the article on wife rape, it is suggested that men need to be taught not to treat women as sex objects, even if they happen to be their wives and feel entitled to treat them that way.
CHAPTER 4: ROBBERY
A. There is much in this chapter that challenges the rational choice theory. Robbery is an opportunistic crime which often does not involve much planning.
B. In the "Stick-up, Street Culture,..." article, the authors talk about the cultural dimension in which robbers operate. That these individuals are driven by the need to spend to fit in; seek pleasure in a largely pleasureless world. This notion of "life as a party" is sustained by fast cash. Much in this article also lends itself to "anomie/strain" theory.
1. The carjackers interviewed also had this need for fast cash, to keep up their "life as a party."
C. Techniques of neutralization seem to be employed by robbers.
D. Robbers tend to have long criminal careers and high rates of recidivism (70%).
CHAPTER 5: BURGLARY
A. Should note that there has been a pretty steady decline in burglary rates since the early 1970s (at least through the 1990s). Also, many other developed countries have higher rates of burglary than the U.S. does.
B. In the section on the "Cognitive Aspects of Burglary" several points are made to suggest that burglars are not the most rationally oriented criminals. In addition to not planning, drugs and alcohol are involved in the majority of cases: "...56% of incacerated burglars were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their most recent offense."
C. Some support for "differential association" theory in that burglars often work in groups and even have "apprentices" who learn the ropes. Women are more likely to work in groups than men. Also, the article on female burglars confirms my criticism of the feminist perspective -- that women burglars tend to get more lenient treatment in the criminal justice system rather than harsher treatment, as some feminist criminologists claim.
D. In the article on the stolen property system, the authors make a very good point: that we need to look beyond the individual criminal and recognize the broader context of burglary, which includes the stolen property system which clearly facilitates this criminal act. *See p. 194.
CHAPTER 7: PUBLIC ORDER CRIME
A. Important to note that these crimes are categorized as "malum prohibitum" offenses -- that is, offenses defined by law but not necessarily recognized as inherently evil (as are "malum in se" offenses). Also, they are classified as "victimless" crimes in the sense that there is a willing exchange of desired goods (drugs or sex) between individuals.
1. The consensual nature of these crimes makes them prone to underreporting and it complicates the job of law enforcement, which often has to resort to undercover operations to apprehend the criminals.
B. The economic and social costs of the drug war have been tremendous.
C. There definitely is a SUBCULTURAL aspect to public order crime -- that drug dealers, addicts, pimps, prostitutes, etc. inhabit a world where these illegal activities are seen as acceptable, which of course lends itself to "differential association" theory. Dabney also mentioned the role of "normative neutralizations" in rationaliszing the behavior.
D. The "Drugs-Crime" article basically concludes that the causal relation between drugs and crime is a two-way street: drugs cause crime and crime causes drugs.
E. Finally, in the article on hard-core heroin addicts, a typology is brought out which I believe contains at least one crucial point. The authors make an important point about the effects of heroin and when it is most destructive:
"In sum, contrary to popular belief, heroin use does not inevitably lead to a deterioration of lifestyle. Rather, the physiological dynamics of narcotics use tend to be the most destabalizing under conditions where life structure is already weak and incapable of accommodating the physiological demands imposed by increased tolerance." (p. 274) -- that is, in regard to the effects of any drug, one must consider the larger social circumstances in which the drug is taken and not just the chemical properties of the drug itself.
____________________________
That's it. Remember to incorporate the above points in your notes. And check out the previous blog post for the details of the family activity in connection with reading "Gang Leader for a Day."
Friday, October 29, 2010
FAMILY ACTIVITY: "GANG LEADER FOR A DAY"
Over the next couple weeks you'll be reading "Gang Leader for a Day," and I would like each of the families to discuss the questions listed below and come up with answers to them. Your answers or responses should be NO LONGER THAN A PARAGRAPH OR TWO AT MOST, AND THEY SHOULD REFLECT THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT OF THE FAMILY. I will give you plenty of class time to confer with your fellow family members, and we will also be discussing the book in class. Specifically, I will give the families time to discuss the book on THURSDAY, NOV. 4TH and TUESDAY, NOV. 9TH. On THURSDAY, NOV. 11TH I want each family to present your answers in class and submit them in writing to me. I will then consider your answers and post on this blog what I believe are the best answers to each question. These "best answers" will be the basis for me making up final exam questions about "Gang Leader for a Day." Those families' answers that are selected as best will earn a bonus point for your efforts. All participating family members will earn 7 activity points for this exercise.
HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS:
(1) What did you find was the MOST SURPRISING FACT OR OBSERVATION, AND WHY?
(2) What do you believe is the MOST INSIGHTFUL PASSAGE IN THE BOOK (no more than a paragraph long), AND WHY?
(3) What do you believe is the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON to be drawn from the book in terms of understanding and dealing with gangs?
______________________
So, please start reading the book and be ready to begin discussing these questions with your family members next Thursday.
And please check out the previous blog post which describes the EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY coming up next Tuesday, Nov. 2nd.
HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS:
(1) What did you find was the MOST SURPRISING FACT OR OBSERVATION, AND WHY?
(2) What do you believe is the MOST INSIGHTFUL PASSAGE IN THE BOOK (no more than a paragraph long), AND WHY?
(3) What do you believe is the MOST IMPORTANT LESSON to be drawn from the book in terms of understanding and dealing with gangs?
______________________
So, please start reading the book and be ready to begin discussing these questions with your family members next Thursday.
And please check out the previous blog post which describes the EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY coming up next Tuesday, Nov. 2nd.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY
Next week Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, I will be showing a documentary entitled, "A Hard Straight," about the parole system in California. After seeing this video in class, to earn 5 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS, I want you to post a two-paragraph comment in which you will focus on ONE of the three parolees featured in the documentary. The question I want you to address is simply: what could have been done to help this person make a successful transition to life outside of prison, thereby avoiding the personal and social costs of sending him or her back, as over 50% of parolees in California are today?
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENT NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH.
______________________
Also, be looking for another blog post soon describing the family activity on "Gang Leader for a Day."
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENT NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH.
______________________
Also, be looking for another blog post soon describing the family activity on "Gang Leader for a Day."
Monday, October 18, 2010
Family Questions from "Crime Types" for the Midterm
Below are the questions (and answers) I accepted, with some editing. Remember, these questions will be on the midterm exam coming up this Thursday, 10/21.
CHAPTER 2: HOMICIDE AND ASSAULT RED FAMILY (Sami, Amanda, Taylor, Kirsten)
1. Identify the characteristics of most murders. (2pts) (Note: you do not have to list all of them to get full credit, but you should be able to identify several.)
ANSWER: Most murders are one-on-one situations where the victim and the perpetrator are acquainted. Most involved individuals of the same age, race, and gender. And they tend to be crimes of passion which result from a heated, emotional argument.
2. In what way do independent killers (or hitmen) use Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization?" (1)
ANSWER: By classifying killing as a job or a normal business transaction, which enables the hitman to neutralize any sense of moral responsibility.
3. Why is the use of "threats" so important in gang violence, and how does this contribute to the growth of gangs? (2)
ANSWER: Threats keep opposing gangs in a constant state of anticipation of what the other gang will do, causing them to act irrationally, out of fear, using violence. Threats increase the solidarity of a gang and motivates other young people in the neighborhood to join for protection.
4. In the article, "How Women Experience Battering," how is Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization" used in a unique way? (1)
ANSWER: As the basis for categories of rationalization that battered women, as VICTIMS, rationalize the behavior of their abusers.
CHAPTER 3: VIOLENT SEX CRIMES GREEN FAMILY (Michaela was the only one who submitted questions; the other family members, Lauren A., David, and Sarah get 2 points off for this activity.)
1. What are the typical characteristics of gang rape victims on college campuses? (1)
ANSWER: They are generally rather naive, first-year students who have somehow gained a reputation for being promiscuous.
2. According to research by Scully and Marolla, referred to in the Introduction to Chapter 3, most rapists are driven by what? (1)
ANSWER: a will to degrade or dominate their victims, not by a quest for sexual gratification.
CHAPTER 4: ROBBERY YELLOW FAMILY (Francis, Patrick, Cynthia, Anna)
1. Why do people resort to robbery instead of seeking legal work? (2)
ANSWER: Because criminals are addicted to pleasure. They rob and spend the money as quickly as possible on parties, drugs, clothes, etc. and when they run out, they want to have their "fun" back as quickly as possible, so they rob again. A job with a paycheck would not give them the cash they need when they need it. And since criminals tend to be unskilled and uneducated, it would be difficult for them to hold down even a minimum-wage job.
2. What is the term Samaha prefers as an alternative for "robbery," and why? (2)
ANSWER: "Aggravated property crime," because a robbery combines elements of property theft and violence into a single criminal transaction.
3. What two things govern an individual's decision to commit a carjacking? (2)
ANSWER: (1) PERCEIVED SITUATIONAL INDUCEMENTS (immediate pressures on an individual such as peer pressure, need for cash or drugs, revenge) and (2) PERCEIVED OPPORTUNITY (potential risks and rewards).
____________________________________
That's it. See you tomorrow (Tues. 10/19).
CHAPTER 2: HOMICIDE AND ASSAULT RED FAMILY (Sami, Amanda, Taylor, Kirsten)
1. Identify the characteristics of most murders. (2pts) (Note: you do not have to list all of them to get full credit, but you should be able to identify several.)
ANSWER: Most murders are one-on-one situations where the victim and the perpetrator are acquainted. Most involved individuals of the same age, race, and gender. And they tend to be crimes of passion which result from a heated, emotional argument.
2. In what way do independent killers (or hitmen) use Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization?" (1)
ANSWER: By classifying killing as a job or a normal business transaction, which enables the hitman to neutralize any sense of moral responsibility.
3. Why is the use of "threats" so important in gang violence, and how does this contribute to the growth of gangs? (2)
ANSWER: Threats keep opposing gangs in a constant state of anticipation of what the other gang will do, causing them to act irrationally, out of fear, using violence. Threats increase the solidarity of a gang and motivates other young people in the neighborhood to join for protection.
4. In the article, "How Women Experience Battering," how is Sykes and Matza's "techniques of neutralization" used in a unique way? (1)
ANSWER: As the basis for categories of rationalization that battered women, as VICTIMS, rationalize the behavior of their abusers.
CHAPTER 3: VIOLENT SEX CRIMES GREEN FAMILY (Michaela was the only one who submitted questions; the other family members, Lauren A., David, and Sarah get 2 points off for this activity.)
1. What are the typical characteristics of gang rape victims on college campuses? (1)
ANSWER: They are generally rather naive, first-year students who have somehow gained a reputation for being promiscuous.
2. According to research by Scully and Marolla, referred to in the Introduction to Chapter 3, most rapists are driven by what? (1)
ANSWER: a will to degrade or dominate their victims, not by a quest for sexual gratification.
CHAPTER 4: ROBBERY YELLOW FAMILY (Francis, Patrick, Cynthia, Anna)
1. Why do people resort to robbery instead of seeking legal work? (2)
ANSWER: Because criminals are addicted to pleasure. They rob and spend the money as quickly as possible on parties, drugs, clothes, etc. and when they run out, they want to have their "fun" back as quickly as possible, so they rob again. A job with a paycheck would not give them the cash they need when they need it. And since criminals tend to be unskilled and uneducated, it would be difficult for them to hold down even a minimum-wage job.
2. What is the term Samaha prefers as an alternative for "robbery," and why? (2)
ANSWER: "Aggravated property crime," because a robbery combines elements of property theft and violence into a single criminal transaction.
3. What two things govern an individual's decision to commit a carjacking? (2)
ANSWER: (1) PERCEIVED SITUATIONAL INDUCEMENTS (immediate pressures on an individual such as peer pressure, need for cash or drugs, revenge) and (2) PERCEIVED OPPORTUNITY (potential risks and rewards).
____________________________________
That's it. See you tomorrow (Tues. 10/19).
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Concluding Lecture Notes on Contemporary Theories
Below are some final brief notes on contemporary theories of crime. Please copy these and study them, along with the other lecture notes for the midterm exam coming up next Thursday, Oct. 21.
CONTEMPORARY THEORIES
A. Many of the more contemporary theories, to my mind, don't make much improvement over the traditional theories we've already covered. Indeed, they seem to be more concerned with exposing biases in the way our criminal justice system operates. There are three main ones:
1. Conflict theory -- biases based on social class (or race)
2. Marxist theory -- biases based on class
3. Feminist theory -- biases based on gender, especially the subordinate position of women.
B. No doubt these theories bring out some valid issues, but they also tend to exaggerate the role of these factors and generally can be considered more IDEOLOGICAL. Among them, I would say the feminists attempt to argue there are biases against women in the criminal justice system may be the most distorted. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that women receive more lenient sentences than men for the same crimes, not vice versa.
C. The conflict theorists have exposed the issue of racial bias, which I believe should be fairly obvious (as in the Tulia case), although many (such as Prof. Akers) downplay this "extra-legal" variable (race) in criminal justice decision-making.
D. The Marxists may have a point in suggesting that capitalist societies tend to have higher crime rates than socialist ones. But they also have been guilty of idealizing socialist systems or just assuming they would have lower crime rates. Also, they tend to ignore obvious differences in crime rates between various capitalist countries.
1. An interesting point point some Marxist theorists have raised is -- that as the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (I would even say, China) become more capitalist their crime rates have risen dramatically. But that is a bit simplistic. One must consider how repressive the former Soviet Union was and that other things could also explain this surge.
CONCLUDING OBSERVATION ON THE SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINAL AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Even though no theory stands out as THE answer to the many different types of criminal behavior, I believe sociologists have identified some important social factors that must be considered not only in explaining this behavior, but also ultimately addressing or correcting it more effectively.
CONTEMPORARY THEORIES
A. Many of the more contemporary theories, to my mind, don't make much improvement over the traditional theories we've already covered. Indeed, they seem to be more concerned with exposing biases in the way our criminal justice system operates. There are three main ones:
1. Conflict theory -- biases based on social class (or race)
2. Marxist theory -- biases based on class
3. Feminist theory -- biases based on gender, especially the subordinate position of women.
B. No doubt these theories bring out some valid issues, but they also tend to exaggerate the role of these factors and generally can be considered more IDEOLOGICAL. Among them, I would say the feminists attempt to argue there are biases against women in the criminal justice system may be the most distorted. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that women receive more lenient sentences than men for the same crimes, not vice versa.
C. The conflict theorists have exposed the issue of racial bias, which I believe should be fairly obvious (as in the Tulia case), although many (such as Prof. Akers) downplay this "extra-legal" variable (race) in criminal justice decision-making.
D. The Marxists may have a point in suggesting that capitalist societies tend to have higher crime rates than socialist ones. But they also have been guilty of idealizing socialist systems or just assuming they would have lower crime rates. Also, they tend to ignore obvious differences in crime rates between various capitalist countries.
1. An interesting point point some Marxist theorists have raised is -- that as the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe (I would even say, China) become more capitalist their crime rates have risen dramatically. But that is a bit simplistic. One must consider how repressive the former Soviet Union was and that other things could also explain this surge.
CONCLUDING OBSERVATION ON THE SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF CRIMINAL AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Even though no theory stands out as THE answer to the many different types of criminal behavior, I believe sociologists have identified some important social factors that must be considered not only in explaining this behavior, but also ultimately addressing or correcting it more effectively.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Concluding Lecture Notes on Anomie/Strain Theory
Last Thursday I did manage to present Merton's "Anomie" Theory of criminal and deviant behavior, along with a couple later modifications: Cohen's "status deprivation" and Cloward and Ohlin's "differential access to illegitimate opportunities. Let me, then wrap this up with some critical comments about the theory.
F. Research on this theory offers mixed support. Looking at official figures, the inverse relationship between social class and crime does appear to hold up (i.e., the lower the class the higher the crime rate), especially considering serious offenses. There is less of a class difference when considering minor offenses.
1. There is even a mixed picture when we consider the relationship between unemployment and crime. Citing a couple of studies from the 1980s, Prof. Akers observes: "...there is little evidence that unemployment motivates people to commit criminal acts. Moreover, crime is as likely to affect unemployment as vice versa." (especially these days with widespread drug testing in the workplace)
2. Focusing just on the so-called "social structural correlates" of crime such as social class, pverty, unemployment, racial heterogeneity, there is some fairly strong evidence of the influence of such factors. And this is seen as consistent with Merton's anomie theory. (Although one could still point out, this does not help us to sort out why only some individuals, and far from the majority, who live in these crime-prone social conditions get involved in crime.)
Concluding Comment About Macro Theories
A. Despite some of the problems we've seen with both Social Disorganization and Anomie/Strain theories (our two macro theories), I would endorse the general policy implications that Prof. Akers describes well in the following:
"The ultimate policy implications of any structural theory is that basic social changes need to be fostered to remove the criminogenic features of economic, political, and social institutions of society. The clear implication of anomie theory, for instance, is to promote the integration of cultural goals and socially approved means, and the redistribution of opportunities in the class system."
("The Cheating Culture" book that had a nice description of Merton's theory draws a similar conclusion regarding how to address cheating.)
___________________
That's all for now. I will post some notes about more contemporary theories in the near future. Tomorrow (Tues. 10/12), of course, we are going to break new ground in discussing "Crime Types." I will be reporting briefly on the Preface and Chapter 1, and then we will hear a family report on Chapter 2: Homicide and Assault.
F. Research on this theory offers mixed support. Looking at official figures, the inverse relationship between social class and crime does appear to hold up (i.e., the lower the class the higher the crime rate), especially considering serious offenses. There is less of a class difference when considering minor offenses.
1. There is even a mixed picture when we consider the relationship between unemployment and crime. Citing a couple of studies from the 1980s, Prof. Akers observes: "...there is little evidence that unemployment motivates people to commit criminal acts. Moreover, crime is as likely to affect unemployment as vice versa." (especially these days with widespread drug testing in the workplace)
2. Focusing just on the so-called "social structural correlates" of crime such as social class, pverty, unemployment, racial heterogeneity, there is some fairly strong evidence of the influence of such factors. And this is seen as consistent with Merton's anomie theory. (Although one could still point out, this does not help us to sort out why only some individuals, and far from the majority, who live in these crime-prone social conditions get involved in crime.)
Concluding Comment About Macro Theories
A. Despite some of the problems we've seen with both Social Disorganization and Anomie/Strain theories (our two macro theories), I would endorse the general policy implications that Prof. Akers describes well in the following:
"The ultimate policy implications of any structural theory is that basic social changes need to be fostered to remove the criminogenic features of economic, political, and social institutions of society. The clear implication of anomie theory, for instance, is to promote the integration of cultural goals and socially approved means, and the redistribution of opportunities in the class system."
("The Cheating Culture" book that had a nice description of Merton's theory draws a similar conclusion regarding how to address cheating.)
___________________
That's all for now. I will post some notes about more contemporary theories in the near future. Tomorrow (Tues. 10/12), of course, we are going to break new ground in discussing "Crime Types." I will be reporting briefly on the Preface and Chapter 1, and then we will hear a family report on Chapter 2: Homicide and Assault.
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