Social Class and Criminality

Abstract

Social class variations in self-reported criminality are examined using data from a comprehensive sample of adults in three states. The results prove to be contrary to any current theories concerning the relationship between social class and deviance, particularly the most popular ones that postulate an inverse relationship between the two. But it is shown that these findings are actually consistent with the bulk of previous research which shows the relationship to be problematic. The extant evidence seems to mandate reconceptualization of theories of deviance to minimize social class as a variable. Social class has always been a fundamental variable in sociological study of crime/delinquency, and practically every theory has given socioeconomic status a prominent explanatory role. Although several patterns of relationship between class and crime have been theorized (Hirschi, b), the most popular explanations assume an inverse relationship between class position and criminality (A. Cohen, a; Gove; Merton; Miller). And despite some skepticism (see Box and Ford; Empey, for summaries), the belief has persisted for a long time that the bulk of evidence actually demonstrates such a relationship (Bytheway and May; Cressey, 157; Rossides, 443; Wheeler, 213). So firm is this belief that at least one recent book has been written to account for the diverse empirical findings that link social inequality and deviant behavior, particularly in American Society (Hewitt, 3). Further, even though some writers, sobered by the results of some self-report studies, are now careful to limit their generalizations to statements about social class and officially recorded crime or delinquency (Cohen and Short, 110-1; Reid, 66-7), confidence that at least that relationship has been established is almost universal (Hood and Sparks, 54). Yet, the literature concerning this issue is unconvincing. For one thing, methodological weaknesses render much of the evidence problematic. Some frequently cited studies report the relationship between class and crime for ecological areas rather than for individuals (Chilton; Lander; Shaw and McKay; Slatin), and several ostensibly relevant investigations have not in fact employed indicators of individual socioeconomic status (B. *This research was supported by NSF Grant GS-31744.