A Socio-Structural Analysis of Murder, Suicide, and Economic Crime in Ceylon

Abstract

Variations in the incidence of deviance are analyzed in the context of changing Sinhalese society. It is hypothesized that homicide is most frequent in the lowest ranks of an achieved status system under conditions of subjectively experienced restraints, and among persons alienated and demoralized. Suicides and property offenders are treated as corollaries to these hypotheses. Attitudes are conceptualized as intervening variables between status position and deviant acts. Data are based on questionnaires completed by local police officials and interviews with village offenders and nonoffenders, statistically analyzed with controls by age, sex and ethnicity. Homicide is primarily a manifestation of status deprivation for the highest cultivator caste involving land scarcity and the absence of appropriate employment opportunities.