CRM2301 Final Assignment

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University of Ottawa *

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2301

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Sociology

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Jan 9, 2024

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Positivist Theories Final Assignment Department of Social Science: Criminology, University of Ottawa CRM2301A Professor Christine Gervais December 14, 2022 Question 1

A) A downstream approach is a passive route of solving a problem by dealing with the result. To do this, I would use Merton’s strain theory and Durkihiem's Functionalism/ Anomie theory. These theories are capable of providing insight on helping the after effect of the event. Merton’s strain theory looks at a person’s adaptation to their situation. This will create an understanding of the person’s immediate response to whatever caused a problem on the boat tour and allows us to provide immediate help to that strain. Durkhiem’s functionalist anomie theory looks at the offenders poor behavior and why it was necessary to them in the moment. Building off of merton’s strain theory, they acted as they did because they felt it was the only way to improve their situation or relieve themselves of their current stressor at the time. The quote of “a difference that makes no difference is no difference” ( James , 1971) accurately depicts this as it becomes apparent that if our downstream or immediate approach to the problem is not developed enough for the individual, then there is no point in taking action. Acting without reason will create some form of a difference, but the effect is not improving the situation and is therefore without reason and unhelpful. This contradicts Cohen’s 1988 quote about hypothetically draining the swamp before knowing the physiology of the mosquito. Reacting without knowing what the problem is could just do nothing at all. We must consider things about the problem and the offender (the mosquito) such as their situation or why they felt they needed to assault the victim before providing immediate help and reprimand (draining the swamp), otherwise the solution we have created will be baseless and could not provide help to the situation, victim, or offender. (Word count: 294)

B) An upstream approach, fundamentally, is meant to assess and avoid a problem by using the past and present of an individual and/or situation to affect the future and its outcomes. With this in mind, the theories I would utilize in this particular issue are Lombroso’s Biological theory, Cloward & Ohlin’s Subcultural Theory, and Shawn & McKay’s Ecological theory. These theories are well rounded for an upstream analysis as they help to provide a deeper understanding not only of the individual but also of the unique set of circumstances that have led to the current situation. Using Lombroso and Shawn & Mckay’s theories first, I would gain a deeper understanding of the individual who is committing the violent act. This approach would not only benefit this particular case as it would provide some much needed insight into the motivations behind the crime, but also aid in future cases of the same nature as it provides a theoretical picture of one type of person who would commit such an act (and by extension why they were lead to this action) in the first place. Similarly, Cloward & Olhin’s Subcultural theory the insights provided by the interactions had by the individual in question provide a clearer and more well rounded picture of not only the who by the why of the situation. By going backwards or “upstream” in time from the current problem we are able to gain a better comprehension of the act and its motivations. “The more things change, the more things stay the same '' ( Karr, 1849) idea presented by Karr captures this particular approach quite well in that the actuality of the situation is made much more clear by the events of the past and the effects they have had. It is likely that a pattern of repetition involving violence and quick outbursts have followed the individual who committed this act, and in order to understand the why of this we must look backwards in time to see the events or ‘changes’ in history

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that have led to this action. By doing so we can not only better understand and possibly help this individual, but also provide insight into similar cases in the future. (Word count: 361) C) The Dilemma I felt was most present during my analysis was the individual uniqueness of the perpetrator. The personhood of the offender makes analyzing them using theories effective but not entirely accurate as it is impossible to know the full extent of someone else’s entire life and the effects that has had on them psychologically. As in part A of this question, I felt a distinct connection to someone who is “draining the swamp” without fully understanding the “physiology” of the mosquito ( Cohen , 1988). By using the two pronged approach of upstream and downstream thinking we are able to gain a much clearer view of the entire situation, not just the action itself but that full view is still only so much of the story. Many questions can be answered, but few can be fully understood about an individual’s psyche that is not your own. (Word count: 145) Total Word Count: 800

Work Cited James, W., Wilshire, B. W., & Edie, J. M. (1984). In William James: The essential writings . essay, State University of New York Press. Karr, J. B. A. (1849). Les Guepes . Cohen, S. (2017). Failures of Criminology. In Against Criminology (pp. 53–53). essay, Routledge.

Question 2 We must make a societal change to prevent problems before they get the chance to happen and stop accepting “changes” that provide no real change at all, “When we see justice we will see peace,” as Micheal Franti says in his song Same as it Ever Was (2016) . Viola Desmond, for example, sat in the Whites-only section of a movie theater. Her behavior was deviant, yes, but it brought about good change and hope into her community and Canada as a whole. Desmond challenged segregation and helped others do the same, aiding in the start of a civil rights movement in Canada. (Gervais, 2022, October 3) In Criminology we witness plenty of discrimination within the world and within theories used and created by criminological experts. One form of discrimination seen very commonly is racism. This is viewed within a Biological Theory by Lombroso. Gervais (2022, November 7) describes Lombroso's idea of criminal characteristics. Criminal characteristics consisted of things like a turned up nose, large ears, curly dark hair, and even large toe gaps. All seemingly basic characteristics, however his racism becomes evident when he compares criminals of other racial backgrounds, especially with groups who he views as inferior. This problem stems from his measures of normality being a European caucasian man, and within translations of his texts it is perceived that his comparison of peoples eyes to criminals is similar to those of Mongolian Descent (Gervais, 2022, November 7). This theory is inherently racist and should not be used or should be used with caution and understanding within the criminological field. Sexism is also an issue of discrimination seen through research done by Scully and Marolla. Scully and Marolla did research on the justifications that rapists give for their behaviors. Their research into the intrinsically misogynistic these mens mindsets were, mostly describing how they deserved it or how it was not their (the rapists) fault. (Scully & Marolla

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1984) This research shows how misogynistic offenders can be, we should be looking into how and why offenders against the opposite sex commit these crimes and why they justify it as if their victims were deserving of such actions. Provide change to the problem at its root and attempt to alter the way that discrimination is created. The community of Regent Park in Toronto, Ontario is a prime example of discrimination caused by class. Jamie Snow (2022, September 21) spoke about Regent Park, describing it as a low-income community that is prone to criminalized behavior and viewed poorly by those outside the community. Regent Park struggled with receiving help from the outside community due to stereotypes about the area, and its “revitalization project” has displaced many and will be out of their budgets when complete, leaving them displaced. Classism makes it extremely difficult for individuals and groups to get help when it is needed. A clear example of ableism is The Sterilization of Leilani Muir as depicted in the 1996 film directed by Glynis Whiting. When Leilani was under the care of the Albertan government she was sterilized after an IQ test given to her as a minor showed she may be mentally handicapped. This action likely was influenced by the synchronic quadrants of social organization and acts as the authority figures within Leilani’s life and the albertan government put their personal beliefs about people with mental deficits above the fundamental rights of a human being. In conclusion, criminological theories are able to provide insight and help into societal problems like racism, sexism, classism, and ableism, but without recognition and understanding no change can come from it. Like Karr says, “The more things change, the more they stay the same” ( Karr , 1984). We can change the knowledge we have access to about these issues but

without anyone willing to apply them to insight social change, everything will stay the same. (Total Word Count: 637)

Works Cited Scully, D., & Marolla, J. (1984). Convicted Rapists’ Vocabulary of Motive: Excuses and Justifications. Social Problems, 31(5), 530–544. https://doi.org/10.2307/800239 Gervais, C. (2022, November 7). BIOLOGICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL POSITIVIST PERSPECTIVES . University of Ottawa. McConnell, A. (n.d.). The Sterilization of Leilani Muir . Retrieved December 16, 2022. Karr, J. B. A. (1849). Les Guepes .

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