1. Functionalist and Strain Theory

Question 1

FUNCTIONALIST THEORY

Answer 1

.

Question 2

Emile Durkheim (1893)

Answer 2

. function of deviance
. collective conscience
. boundary maintenance
. anomie (if the level of deviance is too high or too low)

Question 3

Kingsley Davis (1961)

Answer 3

. safety valves (prostitutes)

Question 4

Albert Cohen

Answer 4

. warning signs (social change)

Question 5

CONTROL THEORY - social control

Answer 5

.

Question 6

Travis Hirschi (1969)

Answer 6

. bonds of attachment
. formal control
. informal control

Question 7

FUNCTION OF PUNISHMENT

Answer 7

. Done publicly so wider value consensus is reinforced

Question 8

Evaluation of Functionalism and crime and deviance:

who would you use for evaluation?

Answer 8

1. Marxism
2. Feminism
3. Interactionists (labelling)
4. Postmodernism

Question 9

Marxism

1. Marxism view on punishment
2. Marxism- capitalism is criminogenic
3. Value consensus for the Bourgeoisie

Answer 9

1. mainly focuses on the working classes committing the crime, often depicted through the media - reinforcing the value consensus amongst the Bourgeoisie.
2. they are so exploited often they are forced into poverty and crime as a way of surviving
3. value consensus is only for the bourgeoisie

Question 10

Feminism

1. Evaluation of the control theory
2. Evaluation of Durkheim’s view that crime provides a positive function

Answer 10

1. Women are under the control of men- men create the control
2. How can domestic abuse be positive for society

Question 11

Labelling
1. Evaluation of the function of crime
1b

Answer 11

1. The more they label the deviance, the more the deviance occurs- amplification of crime
   1b. The more they label the deviance, the more the deviance occurs- moral panic

Question 12

Postmodernists

1. Different type of society

Answer 12

1. Durkheim is talking about a society that was homogenous.

evaluation we are now in a fragmented society

Question 13

STRAIN THEORY - ROBERT MERTON

Answer 13

.

Question 14

What he believes in:

Answer 14

1. Meritocracy
2. There is a value consensus
3. Goal attainment- these are certain goals we strive for- often culturally fixed.- e.g. the American dream

Question 15

What is the strain?

Answer 15

The strain is trying to reach the goal

Question 16

The 5 different ways people adapt to strain

Answer 16

1. Conformism
2. Innovation
3. Ritualism
4. Retreatism
5. Rebellion

Question 17

EVALUATION:POSITIVE

Answer 17

. Official statistics match American dream point.
. the lower classes higher crime rates than the higher classes because they have less means of obtaining the goals legitimately

Question 18

EVALUATION: NEGATIVE

Answer 18

. takes the official statistics at face value- they over represent the working class and underestimate corporate crime- the higher classes
. ignores the crimes of the rich, so the poor are criminalised
. postmodern approach: assumes there is a value consensus, but we are now living in a fragmented society
. only looks at utilitarian crime
. looks at individual response to strain, NOT delinquent subcultures.