Deck 5: Social Power: Conflict Theory of Crime

Question 1

According to Quinney, the social reality of crime theory is based on

A) conflict in society.
B) the reality of crime as a social problem.
C) consensus about the nature of real crime.
D) the need to control serious crime realistically.

Answer 1

conflict in society.

Question 2

According to the social reality of crime theory, the official definition of crime is

A) based on social consensus.
B) a reflection of the realities of crime in the streets.
C) inherently harmful to society.
D) created by agents of the dominant class.

Answer 2

created by agents of the dominant class.

Question 3

According to the social reality of crime theory, definitions of crime are

A) based on a long standing legal tradition going back to the 18^th century.
B) based on public opinion surveys and victimization surveys.
C) composed of behaviors everyone would agree are harmful to society.
D) composed of behaviors that conflict with interests of the dominant class.

Answer 3

composed of behaviors that conflict with interests of the dominant class.

Question 4

According to the social reality of crime theory, definitions of crime are applied by

A) authorities, who are fair to all, and only target conduct deemed criminal in nature.
B) the class that has the power to shape the enforcement and administration of criminal law.
C) the police and courts in response to the realities of crime.
D) the administrative apparatus of the criminal justice system as an agent of the state.

Question 5

According to the social reality of crime theory, behavior patterns are structured in relation to definitions of crime and within this context

A) personality factors will account for most criminal behavior.
B) persons will likely join street gangs and commit crime.
C) people will interact with others, learn attitudes and engage in actions likely to be defined as criminal.
D) some people will become police officers and resist crime.

Question 6

According to the social reality of crime theory, an ideology of crime is constructed

A) and applied by the dominant class to secure its dominance.
B) and applied by criminologists to help explain the causes of crime.
C) by the criminal class to counter the moral standards of society.
D) and supported by the motion picture industry and reflected in various films and movies.

Question 7

Describe and explain the 5-6 major propositions Quinney outlines as the social reality theory of crime. What do you find useful or persuasive about this point of view? What do you find less accurate or useful about this perspective? Do you find this theory overall to be a good explanation of crime in our society-why or why not? Explain.

Question 8

Quinney's social reality theory of crime seems to make use of some basic assumptions of Becker's labeling theory. Discuss the points of agreement and any potential differences between Becker and Quinney's theories of deviance. Which position do you prefer-why? Explain.

Question 9

Using Quinney discuss and provide an example to show how personal-action patterns develop in relation to definitions of crime. How, according to Quinney's social reality of crime theory, do the definers of crime impact the self-conceptions of those labeled as criminals?