Which of the following is true regarding the class bias in law enforcement described by Cicourel?

Explore the AQA Sociology Crime and Deviance Test. Study with engaging questions, detailed explanations, and insightful hints. Prepare for success today!

The correct answer highlights that working-class individuals often align with police officers' typifications, which refers to the stereotypes or preconceived notions that law enforcement may hold about different social groups. Cicourel's research illustrates how such typifications influence the likelihood of individuals being stopped, arrested, or labeled as deviant. Police officers, operating with these stereotypes, may view working-class individuals as more likely to engage in criminal behavior, leading to a disproportionate number of arrests in that demographic.

This concept of typification is crucial in understanding how social class can impact the criminal justice process. When officers recognize someone as fitting their assumptions about criminal behavior, they may be more likely to act upon suspicions, contributing to a bias that favors the arrest and charging of working-class individuals over those from upper classes, who might not fit these stereotypes despite potentially engaging in similar behaviors. Cicourel's work brings attention to the systemic issues within law enforcement that create and perpetuate class-based inequalities.

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