1. Social Class & Crime
The working-classes are highly represented in the crime
statistics compared to the middle-classes. Many of the
explanations have been explored as part of other topics
within this C&D module and therefore you should be
familiar with them.
Strain Theory & Anomie
(Merton)
Which theory is Strain Theory linked to?
 How can strain theory be applied to the
working-class and crime?
 How might strain theory be criticised?

2. Labelling Theory (Becker)
 What does labelling theory suggest in relation to crime & deviance?
 How can this be linked to social class and crime?
Also important here is…..
Deviance Amplification (Young)
The Media, Folk Devils & Moral Panics (Cohen)
We should also consider and link the New
Right View on Social Class to these ideas……
The Underclass (Murray)

3. Ecology Theory (Park & Burgess)
 What can you remember about Ecology Theory?
 How can this be linked to social class and crime?
 How could Ecology Theory be criticised?
Subcultures & the Working-Classes (Cloward & Ohlin)
And
Working-Class Focal Concerns (Miller)
 Why might more deviant subcultures be found within the Working-Classes?
 What does ‘Immediate Gratification’ mean?
 What doe the term ‘Collectivism’ mean?
 What does the term ‘Fatalism’ refer to?
What might the W/C be more likely to have these characteristics than the M/C?

4. Marginality, Social Exclusion, Relative Deprivation &
Rational Choice Theory
 What does ‘Marginalised’ mean?
 What does the term ‘Socially Excluded’ refer to?
 What might the W/C experience these things more than the M/C?
Rational Choice theory can be linked to Realist theories of crime in that it
argues that the W/C rally do commit more crime than the M/C. This is because
they are thinking rationally and weighing up
COSTS vs. REWARDS – they are thinking RATIONALLY
and making the decision to turn to crime.
 Why might this theory be seen as both POSITIVIST/STRUCTURALIST as well as
INTERPRETIVIST/ INTERACTIONIST at the same time?
 Is this theory useful in helping us understand crime and deviance?
Explain your answer

5. Less Informal Social Control
Like Rational Choice Theory this theory also leans towards realist approaches
but this does blame exclusion and marginalisation for crime. Instead the finger
is pointed at how working class individuals are controlled less by institutions
such as the Family, Education & Peer Groups.
> In what ways might middle-class children be controlled more within the home and
school?
> Do you think that there is any reality in this argument? Support your answer

6. More Detectable Offences & More
Likely to be Caught.
It might also be argues that ‘working-class crime’ is very obvious
and blatant in nature e.g. Burglary, Mugging, Assault. These are
the sorts of crime that the public constantly think about and
worry about (largely due to the media) and as such the police
are more likely to focus on it.
The middle-class may be guilty of white-collar crime
which is not detected as much such as fraud within a
company.
 What is ‘White-Collar crime’?
 Why might it be difficult to detect this sort of crime?
 What is meant by the ‘Social Construction’ of Crime Statistics and why is it
important here?
What is the ‘Dark Figure of Crime’?

7. Remember:
When exploring social class & crime it is important that you draw on your work
on White Collar Crime, Occupational Crime, Environmental Crime, State
Crime.
Also, it is extremely useful to know how statistics are collected and interpreted
so revision on Official Crime Statistics is crucial too.
Exam Style Question:
‘ The crime rate is higher amongst the working-classes than the middle-classes’.
To what extent do sociological arguments support this statement?