A1 - functionalism

Question 1

what are 2 theories in functionalism about committing crime ?

Answer 1

1. Durkheim theory
2. Merton’s theory

Question 2

what does functionalists believe according to Durkheim ?

Answer 2

According to Durkheim , what causes crime in society are broad social structures.

Question 3

what does Durkheim suggest about crime in functionalism ?

Answer 3

durkheim suggest that crime was inevitable and necessary for a society to function well but too much crime would lead to a lack of social control

Question 4

what does Durkheim believe about crime in functionalism ?

Answer 4

He believed that crime is response to anomie

Question 5

what is anomie in functionalism according to Durkheim’s theory ?

Answer 5

Anomie is when people feel disconnected to mainstream goals that are held as common aspirations by most individuals such as financial success, material wealth , social status and career success.

Question 6

what does Durkheim also suggest as a result of anomie in functionalism ?

Answer 6

durkheim also suggestedv that as a result of anomie and feeling disconnected to mainstream society apparations , people become vunurable and rule breaking .

Question 7

what do Durkheim name people that are disconnected to mainstream society apparitions ?

Answer 7

Innovators

Question 8

what are innovators ?

Answer 8

innovators are people that don’t conform to society way of achieving goals instead of illegal means.

Question 9

what are the 3 positive functions of crime Durkheim argued in functionalism ?

Answer 9

1. social regulation
2. social cohesion
3. social change

Question 10

what is social regulation in functionalism according to Durkheim ?

Answer 10

Social regulation is when criminal and deviant behaviours are punished , society is reminded of what is unacceptable and the consequences of the crime . This sets boundaries to the rest of society.

Question 11

what is an example of social regulation in functionalism ?

Answer 11

During the 2001 riots in London, the televised condemnation of the events and the subsequent naming and shaming of the prosecuted served as reminders of unacceptable behaviour within society.

Question 12

what is social cohesion in functionalism according to Durkheim ?

Answer 12

Social cohesion is publicly naming and shaming criminals regardless of their scale of their crimes , brings society together in grief and condemnation

Question 13

what is an example of social cohesion in functionalism ?

Answer 13

The case 2016 murder of MP joe cox and the 2017 Manchester bombing where publicly expressed unity in grief for the victims and the condemnation of the extremists responsible.

Question 14

what is social change according to Durkheim in functionalism ?

Answer 14

Social change is deviant behaviour can signal the needs for social reform or indicate underlying problems

Question 15

what is an example of social change in functionalism ?

Answer 15

suffrages in the early 20th century who employed a militant and criminal tactics to advance the cause of women’s suffrage.

Question 16

what is the name of Merton’s theory

Answer 16

Strain theory

Question 17

what does Merton state in functionalism m?

Answer 17

Merton states that mainstream society has approved goals such as financial success , material wealth , social status which are considered desirable as held as common aspirations by most individuals who work hard to achieve goal legitimately

Question 18

what does Merton state when people can achieve goals in functionalism ?

Answer 18

When people can achieve goals , social order is maintained and individuals are likely to conform to social norms.
Pressure to achieve mainstream society goals can lead to criminal behaviour if they cannot be achieved

Question 19

what does Merton’s theory cause in functionalism ?

Answer 19

This causes strain

Question 20

how many ways can people respond to strain according to Merton in functionalism ?

Answer 20

Merton argues that people may respond to strain in 5 ways

Question 21

what are the 5 responses to strain according to Merton’s theory in functionalism ?

Answer 21

Conformity, innovation, Ritualism , Retreatism, Rebellion

Question 22

what is conformity in Merton’s strain theory in functionalism?

Answer 22

Conformist is when individuals accept both society goals and appropriate means . Individuals strive to achieve success through legitimate channels and does not resort to deviant or criminal behaviour.

Question 23

what is innovation in functionalism according to Merton’s strain theory ?

Answer 23

Innovation is when individuals accept goals of society but reject the approved means. Individuals turn to unconventional or deviant methods such as theft or fraud to achieve a desired sucess.

Question 24

what is Ritualism in functionalism according to Merton’s strain theory ?

Answer 24

Ritualism is when individuals abandon the pursuit of goals in society . Individuals may continue with a routine and repetitive behaviour despite losing faith in achieving the original goods.

Question 25

what is retreatism in functionalism according to Merton’s strain theory ?

Answer 25

Retreatism is when individuals reject both the goals and means of society . Instead they disengage from conviental society and may turn to drug use or other forms of deviant behaviour.

Question 26

what is rebellion in functionalism according to Merton’s strain theory ?

Answer 26

Rebellion is when individuals challenge the established goals and means of society and seek to replace them with alternative objectives. This response can be political in nature, aiming to bring about significant social change.