SOCA02H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Criminal Record, Social Order, Assault
Document Summary
No rule breaking but a social reaction: i. e. falsely accused. Problems: some deviance is not harmful. Definition of harm varies across time and place. Conflict crimes : abortion in the us, gay rights, driving under the influence (dui) Note: shifting boundaries between the two: shifts depend on the relative power of c. Deviance inevitable: even in a society of angels. Increases social solidarity through collective expressions of outrage: reminding people of their common values. Not reported: no one knows you deviated. Deviance can be: ignored, tolerated, explained away. Reaction is elastic: social order more important than crime control. 2-3: or 97% of criminals are still among us. Self report surveys: victimization, involvement in. Fear of crime exaggerates the real threat to societal values: manipulated by moral entrepreneurs. All evidence suggests crime worse: evidence is limited/anecdotal. Tribal groups: estimate 1-4 males die in violence. Environics polls: 1983-2005 crime fastest growing public concern.
