WJEC Criminology - Unit 2 - Topic 2.3
Functionalist Theory - ANS-Society is bound together by shared norms and values but rule
breaking serves a function for society
Strain Theory - ANS-Blocked opportunities to achieve society's goals by legitimate means
causes individuals to use criminal means, or to push back against societies norms.
Subcultural Theories - ANS-Individuals whose legitimate opportunities are blocked may turn to
deviant subcultures as an alternative means of achieving status.
Labelling Theory - ANS-Also known as interactionism, an act only becomes criminal when
labelled as such. When a person is labelled as a criminal it becomes their 'master status'
Marxist Theory - ANS-Capitalism is criminogenic; it is the root cause of crime. All classes
commit crime, but selective law enforcement means crime appears to be only a working-class
problem.
Right Realism - ANS-Also known as rational choice theory. Criminals are rational people who
weigh up the risks and rewards before deciding whether to commit crimes.
Left Realism - ANS-Inequality is the main cause of crime; it encourages relative deprivation. Its
main victims are disadvantaged groups.
Surveillance Theory - ANS-People are more likely to follow rules if they are being watched by an
authority figure. Panoptic and synoptic surveillance has become an increasingly important form
of crime control.
Emelie Durkheim - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'functionalist theory'
Karl Marx - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Marxist theory'
Michel Foucault - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'surveillance theory'
Robert Merton - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Strain Theory'
Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Subcultural
Theories'
Functionalist Theory - ANS-Society is bound together by shared norms and values but rule
breaking serves a function for society
Strain Theory - ANS-Blocked opportunities to achieve society's goals by legitimate means
causes individuals to use criminal means, or to push back against societies norms.
Subcultural Theories - ANS-Individuals whose legitimate opportunities are blocked may turn to
deviant subcultures as an alternative means of achieving status.
Labelling Theory - ANS-Also known as interactionism, an act only becomes criminal when
labelled as such. When a person is labelled as a criminal it becomes their 'master status'
Marxist Theory - ANS-Capitalism is criminogenic; it is the root cause of crime. All classes
commit crime, but selective law enforcement means crime appears to be only a working-class
problem.
Right Realism - ANS-Also known as rational choice theory. Criminals are rational people who
weigh up the risks and rewards before deciding whether to commit crimes.
Left Realism - ANS-Inequality is the main cause of crime; it encourages relative deprivation. Its
main victims are disadvantaged groups.
Surveillance Theory - ANS-People are more likely to follow rules if they are being watched by an
authority figure. Panoptic and synoptic surveillance has become an increasingly important form
of crime control.
Emelie Durkheim - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'functionalist theory'
Karl Marx - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Marxist theory'
Michel Foucault - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'surveillance theory'
Robert Merton - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Strain Theory'
Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin - ANS-The key criminologist responsible for 'Subcultural
Theories'
