Social Structure, Crime and Criminalization

An Empirical Examination of the Conflict Perspective

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2276152
AutoresKirk R Williams (Memphis State University), Susan Drake (Memphis State University)
Ano1980
Volume21
Fascículo4
Páginas563-575
Data de publicação1980-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0038-0253 • E-ISSN: 1533-8525
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1533-8525.1980.tb00636.x
OpenAlexW2089522659
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas22
Referências citadas50

Using available data from a variety of secondary sources, this research examines the empirical validity of arguments maintained by conflict theorists about the interrelations among economic inequality, the incidence of crime, and the official crinrinalization of people through arrest. The reported findings, although not definitive, suggest that official criminalization may be a function of the structure of dominant/subordinate relations within populations, rather than the incidence of crime. These findings are dependent, however, on whether the incidence of crime is measured by official or unofficial statistics on criminal activity. The implications of the findings are discussed, and we conclude that they lend some support to conflict criminology and suggest that further aggregate tests using structural variables are desirable

Aggregate data · Conflict resolution · Conflict theories · Criminalization · Criminology · Empirical research · Epistemology · Inequality · Perspective (graphical) · Social science · Sociology · Statistics · Variety (cybernetics) · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Psychology · Social Psychology · Wildlife Conservation and Criminology Analyses