What is edge work in criminology?

Edgework is a socio-psychological concept that understands voluntary risk taking as a temporary escape from social boundaries and the search for mental and/or physical borderline experiences.

What does Katz mean by edge work?

Lyng (1990) developed the concept of ‘edgework’ – by this he meant that crime was a means whereby people could get a thrill by engaging in risk-taking behaviour – going right to the edge of acceptable behaviour, and challenging the rules of what is acceptable.

What do cultural criminologists argue?

Cultural criminologists argue that both crime and crime control operate as cultural endeavors, with their personal and social consequences constructed out of contested processes of collective representation and interpretation.

What are some of the basic assumptions of cultural criminology?

As the name suggests, cultural criminology emphasizes the role of culture—that is, shared styles and symbols, subcultures of crime, mass media dynamics, and related factors—in shaping the nature of criminals, criminal actions, and even criminal justice.

Why do people do edgework?

Emotions such as fear, excitement and anxiety are central to edgework, but so are their control. Mental toughness, the ability to master and control the fear that one is experiencing and keep calm so as to avoid physical harm or death, is an integral aspect of edgework.

What is cultural criminology in simple terms?

Cultural criminology is a subfield in the study of crime that focuses on the ways in which the “dynamics of meaning underpin every process in criminal justice, including the definition of crime itself.” In other words, cultural criminology seeks to understand crime through the context of culture and cultural processes.

What type s of crime might be explained by Jack Katz theory of the seductions of crime?

Youths’ and adults’ descriptions of murders, robberies, shoplifting, burglary, vandalism, school truancy, and other acts form the basis of the argument that sensual attractions and feelings of moral restorations are the essence of the criminal’s immediate experience and must be included in explanations of crime.

What are the criticisms of cultural criminology?

Critical Appraisal & Relevance Although cultural criminology does not claim to be a self-contained theorem, it is subject to various criticisms: the program is too vague, the methodological approach too arbitrary, crimes are played down, and integration with Marxist theories is inadequate.

What are cultural consequences in criminology?

Cultural consequences. Make criminal actions in one country illegal or legal and not another. Decriminalisation. Something stops being illegal and becomes illegal.

What is an example of edge work?

Edgeworkers commonly describe a sense of blurring of the boundaries between themselves and the technologies under their control (kayaks, climbing ropes, parachutes, racing cars, motor cycles and so on), so that they have a sense of ‘being one with their machines’.

What is the Edgework theory?

Edgework is a theory of voluntary risk taking developed by sociologist Stephen Lyng (1990, 2005b). It is about individuals “working” an “edge.” While the edge can take many forms, crossing over to the other side must be highly consequential—most commonly, it is the line separating life from death.

What is righteous slaughter Katz?

In criminology much violent behavior is actually grounded in existential experiences of righteousness, and is aptly described by Jack Katz as ‘righteous slaughter’, where the actor behaves violently to redress what he or she feels are challenges to The Good.

What is edgework in cultural criminology?

Cultural Criminology – Crime as ‘Edgework’. Lyng (1990) developed the concept of ‘edgework’ – by this he meant that crime was a means whereby people could get a thrill by engaging in risk-taking behaviour – going right to the edge of acceptable behaviour, and challenging the rules of what is acceptable.

What does cultural criminology say about crime?

Cultural Criminology – Crime as ‘Edgework’ Cultural Criminologists argue the exact opposite of Right Realism who focus on the ordinary motivations and repetitiveness of much crime. According to these theorists, crime is not a rational mundane activity, where costs and benefits are weighed up.

What is edgework?

Lyng (1990) developed the concept of ‘edgework’ – by this he meant that crime was a means whereby people could get a thrill by engaging in risk-taking behaviour – going right to the edge of acceptable behaviour, and challenging the rules of what is acceptable.

What is the difference between Right Realism and cultural criminology?

Cultural Criminologists argue the exact opposite of Right Realism who focus on the ordinary motivations and repetitiveness of much crime. Instead, they stress the highly emotional nature of crime – instead of what the criminals will gain, these researchers are interested in how committing the crime actually makes people feel.