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Example research essay topic: Crime And Deviance Moral Panic - 1,060 words

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... ue to its ability to fall within two categories, either robbery or assault with the intent to rob. Over a period of four years the British government released a statistic claiming that muggings were on the increase of one hundred and twenty nine percent per year, Hall argued that this figure could not be completely relied upon. After comparing various statistics Hall discovered the real annual increase of muggings was only fourteen percent. From these findings Hall suggested that the source of moral panic was not the underlying economic problem (Haralambos and Holborn, Pg 388).

This opinion is in complete contrast to that of both Cohen and Merton who both identify class as a major factor in crime, and both based their theories on the lower classes. Hall also put the thought across that the Medias presence had the ability to make crime appear much worse than it really is / was . Hall described this exaggeration as moral panic (Giddens, Pg 212). It is also important to recognise that neither Cohen nor Merton discussed the medias influence upon crime. It is stated in Giddens that moral panic about muggings was encouraged by both the state and the media as a way of deflecting attention away from growing unemployment, declining wages and other deep structured flaws within society By stating this Hall is concluding that the individuals committing the crimes are individuals forced into crime due to the nature of the economic situation, although Hall is talking about the wider population this could be loosely associated with Cohen and Merton's link with class position.

As Hall takes a Marxist view on crime some sociologists argue that it is almost inevitable he comes to the conclusion that the economic situation (and to a greater extent the influence of capitalism) is the cause for crime and deviance. However Halls study is based upon statistics and like all statistics these may or may not be accurate, as statistics have the tendency to be bias. It is also important to recognise that crime statistics are collected from crimes that have been reported, thus the figures shown do not represent the whole spectrum of crime, a lot of crimes are clearly not represented by these figures. Halls study, like that of Cohen and Merton's, focuses on class. But unlike others sociologists i. e.

Cohen and Merton, it acknowledges that criminals can / do target individuals in similar social situations as themselves. Cohen and Merton's studies gave the impression that the lower classes select the upper classes and intentionally harm them. This study clearly states that anyone is liable to become a victim of crime and acknowledges the influence of the media on crime. Living in a world where the media has such a large influence upon people it is easy to see how many crimes are exaggerated on television and in the newspapers, the term moral panic used by Hall is a good description. Concentrating now on a more radical perspective the writer shall consider Taylor et al. Ian Taylor, Paul Walton and Jock Young, new criminologists with a neo-Marxist (almost radical) perspective, developed a theory whereby they believed criminals, out of free will, choose to break the laws set by society and decline any theories that view human behaviour as being influenced by external factors.

Functionalists have quite a different opinion to this and believe almost the exact opposite to Taylor et al. Taylor et al view the individuals reason for turning to crime as the meaningful attempt by the actor to construct and develop his own self-perception (Haralambos and Holborn, Pg 386). This strand of new criminology rejects theories which claim coherence with anomie, physiological perspectives and those which include the forming of a subculture, this is undoubtedly as distant in regards to Merton and Cohens theories as is possible, without creating a new theory. Taylor et al are in complete contrast to the functionalists opinions and actually see crime and deviance as actively struggling to alter capitalism (Giddens, Pg 386).

They see crime as a deliberate act, more often than not, with a political basis against the state. Taylor et al hold rather a liberal view upon the capitalist society and its restrictions and would base much devotion on the freedom of a future (Marxist) society. They believe that ethnic minorities, homosexuals and drug users should not be persecuted but accepted by society. Taylor et al all have the belief that crimes related with property involves the redistribution of money. An example given in Haralambos and Holborn (Pg 386) is that if a poor resident of an inner-city area steals from a rich person, the former is helping to change society Taylor et al come from a socialist perspective and like many other Marxists would like to see the capitalist society replaced by another type of society, Taylor et al would rather adopt a more socialist society which is not only a substantial difference to the functionalists but also to conventional Marxists (who would adopt a more communist society). In conclusion this paper has shown that functionalists and conflict theorists hold opposing views about the nature and cause of crime and deviance.

As shown above functionalists see crime and deviance as a product of society whereas conflict theorists view crime and deviance as a path chosen by the criminal. I believe, like functionalists the environment (possibly created by those in power, i. e. the patriarchal government) determines and influences the opportunities given to an individual. I also feel that the individuals have choices in the way they interpret and act upon the opportunities society provides - much like the conflict theorists.

In my opinion, neither of these theories produce an accurate, whole picture of the nature and cause of crime, however each of the theories, with their contrasting statements, contain specific characteristics which help to form the larger picture. Word count minus quotes: 1833 Word count including quotes: 2032 Bibliography: P. Taylor et al, (2002), Sociology in focus, Causeway Press, UK Giddens. A, (2001), Sociology, Polity Press, fourth Edition, UK M. Haralambos, M. Holborn, (1991), Sociology themes and perspectives, Third edition, Harper Collins, London M.

Haralambos, M. Holborn, (2000), Sociology themes and perspectives, Fifth edition, Harper Collins, London Jones. P, (1996), Studying Society Sociological Theories and Research Practices, Collins Educational, London ODonnell. M, (1997), Introduction to Sociology, Fourth edition, Nelson, London


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Research essay sample on Crime And Deviance Moral Panic

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