AC 2.3 Flashcards
What do functionalists argue about crime?
Functionalists see crime as inevitable and universal, viewing it as a normal part of healthy societies.
What does Durkheim believe about modern societies?
Durkheim believes modern societies tend towards anomie or normlessness, leading to a lack of collective conscience.
How does the division of labor affect behavior in modern societies?
The complex, specialized division of labor weakens shared culture and collective conscience, resulting in higher levels of deviance.
What are the four important positive functions of crime according to Durkheim?
- Boundary maintenance 2. Adaptation and change 3. Social cohesion 4. Safety valve
What is boundary maintenance in the context of crime?
Boundary maintenance produces a reaction that unites society’s members against the wrongdoer, reaffirming shared rules.
What does adaptation and change refer to in Durkheim’s theory?
Adaptation and change refer to the need for individuals with new ideas to challenge existing norms for societal progress.
How does crime contribute to social cohesion?
Horrific crimes can unite the community in shared outrage, strengthening the sense of belonging.
What is the safety valve function of crime?
The safety valve provides a harmless way for individuals to indulge in desires, such as prostitution relieving sexual frustrations.
What is a strength of functionalism?
Durkheim recognized that crime can have positive functions, such as reinforcing societal boundaries.
What is a weakness of functionalism?
Durkheim does not specify how much deviance is necessary for society to function, leaving ambiguity.
What is another weakness of functionalism?
Functionalism does not consider the impact of crime on victims, disregarding their importance.
What do Cloward and Ohlin note about deviant subcultures?
Different neighborhoods give rise to different types of deviant subcultures.
What are the three types of deviant subcultures identified by Cloward and Ohlin?
- Criminal subcultures 2. Conflict subcultures 3. Retreatist subcultures
What characterizes criminal subcultures?
Criminal subcultures arise in areas with a longstanding professional criminal network, selecting youth for utilitarian crime.
What characterizes conflict subcultures?
Conflict subcultures arise where criminal opportunities exist only within street gangs, using violence for status.
What characterizes retreatist subcultures?
Retreatist subcultures consist of dropouts who have failed in both legitimate and illegitimate opportunities, often based on drug use.
What is a strength of subcultural theories?
Cloward and Ohlin illustrate how different neighborhoods create different opportunities and subcultures.
What is a weakness of subcultural theories?
Subcultures are not as clear-cut as claimed, with individuals often displaying characteristics of multiple types.
What is another weakness of subcultural theories?
Subcultural theories often ignore crimes of the wealthy and over-predict working-class crime.
