1. Functionalism- Durkheims Functionalist theory

Question 1

Outline the functionalist perspective on crime & deviance

Answer 1

Functionalists regard crime as inevitable & beneficial, they are interested in the casues of deviance such as blocked opportunities to achieve well
Seek to explain deviant subcultures
See society as based on value consesus( sharing common culture
Sharing common culture produces social solidarity
To meet social solidarity society performs 2 functions
* Socialisation
* Social control

Question 2

Outline Durkheims Functionalis view of crime
3 key ideas

Answer 2

• Limited amount of crime is inevitable & neccesary
• Crime has positive functions
• Too much crime is bad for society & bring about its collapse thats why institutions of social control are neccesary to keep crime in check

Question 3

Explain the inevitability of crime

Durkheim

Answer 3

Durkheim see crime as destabilizing society, But also see crime as inevitable & universal.

2 reasons for crime & deviance-Durkehim

• not everyone equally socialized into shared norms & values so some individuals prone to deviate
• In modern society Diversity of lifestyle & values means diff groups develop their own subcultures

argued deviance was necessary for social change to occur becauseall social change began with some form of deviance

modern society tend towards anomie(normlessness)-the rule governing behaviour becomes weaker.

Due to modern society complex, specialized division of labour individuals becoming increasingly diff.
This Weakens the collective consciousness(shared culture) resulting in high levels of deviance. e.g Durkheim sees anomie as case of suicide

Question 4

state the 2 positive Functions that crime performs

Durkheim

Answer 4

1. Boundary maintenance
2. Adaption & social change

Question 5

Outline how Boundary maintenace is a positive function

Durkheim

Answer 5

Crime performs the function of boundary maintenance by reaffirming the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

When a crime occurs & individuals are punished its clear to society not to go against norms & values , in turn strengthening boundaries & preventing further crime

the purpose of punishment is to reaffirm society’s shared rules & reinforce social solidarit

courts & the media are ‘broadcasting’ the boundaries of acceptable behavior, warning others not to breach the walls of the law & society

Question 6

Outline how adaption & social change is a positive function of crime

Answer 6

Some crime can be functional for society because it allows social adaptation and change; means that for society to have norms and values that change as a form of rationalism, a criminal act must take place.

Other functions of crime:
Davis believes prostitution provides positive functions because it allows men to express sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.

Question 7

A03

Evaluations of Durkheim

Answer 7

1. Durkheim fails to distinguish between different types of crime. could be that some crimes are so harmful that they will always bedysfunctionalrather than functional.
2. Crime does not always promote social solidarity -may have oppositie effect leading to people becoming more isolated e.g forcing women to stay indoors for fear of attack.
3. on other hand some crimes do reinforce collective sentiments e.g uniting community in condemnation of brutal attach
4. Functionalists look at functions deviance performs for society as a whole & ignores how it affect diff groups in society
   . e.g prostitution may be functional as a ‘safety valve’ for male sexual fustration but can also lead to sex trafficking