Sociology- Theoretical Views On Statistics

Sociology- Theoretical Views On Statistics

1. Theoretical views on statistics

   • FUNCTIONALISM
     • Uncritical view of them.
     • use them to develop theories to explain patterns found
       • DURKHEIM- used them to measure suicide rates
     • MERTON- statistics were valid and reliable and used them to develop explanations on working class criminality
     • functionalists tend to assume people react to the structure in an unthinking way
       • because of this it is possible to establish patterns about behaviour. Making official statistics useful
   • INTERACTIONISM
     • Official Statistics are of little worth. But may use them to show how statistics are socially constructed
     • 1) argue people are active social agents who react in different ways. Thus impossible to predict behaviour. Also numerical data tells us very little about the mind of the deviant
     • 2) statistics are a social construct. Process of becoming a statistics is the product of a series of negotiations and definitions between the accused and the criminal justice system
       • CICOUREL- police are prone to judging people
         • labels police apply will affect the official rates of offending. Thus high crime rates amongst ethnic minorities may not be a reality but a product of institutional racism
       • BECKER- deviance is a product of the labels attributed to individuals
   • MARXISM
     • view the definitions of crime and the prosecution of criminals as subjective processes
       • processes controlled by the ruling class
     • working class are criminalised and sociologists' use of statistics will only serve to maintain ruling class deception
     • statistics are part of the ideological weaponry of the bourgeoisie
     • use statistics to show how the ruling class engage in manipulation
   • FEMINISM
     • criticise the patriarchal nature of statistics
     • similarly to marxist, the definitions and workings of the process of law enforcement benefit the powerful
       • however, in this case the powerful are men. They can minimise their criminality through the limited punishments given in rape cases
     • gendered stereotypes are transmitted by the selective use of law enforcement and punishment
       • women who conform to gendered stereotypes are protected, where as those who transgress them are punished
   • LEFT REALISM
     • statistics on crime are flawed
     • recognise there is a problem with describing most criminals as working class or black
     • there is a reality to crime.
       • used victim surveys to illustrate that some groups are more prone to becoming victims of crime than others.