CRM 3301 Chapter 10: Chapter 10 summary

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Criminology
• Course: CRM 3301
• Professor: Wayne Hanniman

Document Summary

Toward a marxian theory of deviance by steven spitzer. The search for a critical theory has focused on 3 major problems: the definition of deviance, the etiology (the cause of a disease or condition) of deviance, the etiology of control. Instead of focusing on who and what is deviant, investigators began to appreciate the consequences of studying the powerless in terms of the relationship between knowledge of and control over a group. A critical theory must be able to account for deviants and deviance. Must be sensitive to the process though which deviance is subjectively constructed and deviants are objectively handled. Deviance production involves all aspects of the process through which populations are structurally generated as well as shaped, channeled into, and manipulated within social categories defined as deviant. Most important function served by the superstructure in capitalist societies is the regulation and management of problem populations/ their behavior, personal qualities and position threaten the social relations of production.