AC 2.3- sociological theories- structural theories

Question 1

durkheim- functionalism
general point

Answer 1

criminality is only explained by looking at social structures- crime is caused by society rather than individual

Question 2

durkheim- functionalism
what is mechanical solidarity (4)

Answer 2

-traditional societies had minimal criminality due to strong social controls
-powerful agencies socialised members into a clear consensus about right+wrong- loyalty to society was paramount
-those who strayed beyond consensus were punished
-individuality was seen as deviant and was suppressed

Question 3

durkheim- functionalism
what is organic solidarity (4)

Answer 3

-modern societies underpinned by this
-agencies are less influential- society is exposed to ideas that challenge tradition
-no clear agreement between right/wrong
-formerly deviant acts are socially acceptable, punishments grow weaker and no longer deter

Question 4

durkheim- functionalism
why do societies in organic solidarity have more crime (3)

Answer 4

-due to weakening social controls- has undermined the consensus
-this led to anomie (form of moral frustruation and disenchantment)
-some societies dont have power to deter/socially control criminality anymore

Question 5

durkheim- functionalism
functions of crime- what is boundary maintenance (3)

Answer 5

-punishment for breaking laws restores faith in social controls
-clear boundary between right/wrong
-offending is discouraged

Question 6

durkheim- functionalism
functions of crime- what is functional rebellion

Answer 6

-some deviance enables social change eg. the suffragettes

Question 7

durkheim- functionalism
functions of crime- what is social cohesion

Answer 7

-crimes that cause public outrage draw diverse communities closer together eg. terrorism

Question 8

durkheim- functionalism
functions of crime- what is the early warning system

Answer 8

deviance acts as a warning that a social institution isnt working properly

Question 9

durkheim- functionalism
functions of crime- what is the safety valve

Answer 9

-minor crimes can prevent serious crimes

Question 10

merton- strain theory
2 general points

Answer 10

-most crime committed by poorer sections of society in capitalist societies
-structural means arent fairly distributed across all social groups- theres a strain between the dominant cultural goal and the structural means to achieving the goal

Question 11

merton- strain theory
what did strain lead to (2)

Answer 11

-the poor experiencing anomie (form of moral frustration)
-this undermined their commitment to consensus- may respond by adopting one of 5 behaviour types

Question 12

merton- strain theory
behaviour types- conformity (3)

Answer 12

-non criminal
-accept means, strong belief
-most work hard and take responsibility for failure

Question 13

merton- strain theory
behaviour types- innovation (3)

Answer 13

-criminal
-strong belief, reject legitimate means
-choose criminality to achieve the goal of wealth

Question 14

merton- strain theory
behaviour types- ritualism (3)

Answer 14

-non criminal
-weak belief, accept means but lack ambition
-people take comfort in daily routines and avoid risk

Question 15

merton- strain theory
behaviour types- retreatism (3)

Answer 15

-criminal
-reject goals and means
-giving up and dropping out of society eg. drug addict

Question 16

merton- strain theory
behaviour types- rebellion (3)

Answer 16

-criminal
-reject all goals, aim to replace existing social means
-violent revolutions+terrorism

Question 17

merton- strain theory
conclusion

Answer 17

behaviour of criminals + non criminals is shaped by the same material, desires and goals

Question 18

marxism
2 general points

Answer 18

• class conflict between ruling class (bourgeoisie) and working class (proletariat)
  -crime is inevitable in a capitalist society

Question 19

marxism
what is selective law enforcement (2)

Answer 19

-stats give the impression that crimes are mainly committed by working class
-the more likely a crime is to be committer by ruling class, the less likely it is to be treated as a crime

Question 20

evaluation- functionalism
strength

Answer 20

durkheim was first to recognise crime can have positive functions for society eg. distinguishing between right/wrong

Question 21

evaluation- functionalism
2 limitations

Answer 21

-claims society needs a certain amount of deviance to function, but shows no way of knowing how much is the right amount
-crime is only functional for some people- not for victims

Question 22

evaluation- strain theory
2 strengths

Answer 22

-shows how both normal+deviant behaviour arise from same goals. conformists and innovators both pursue money success but by different means
-explains patters in official stats- most crime is property crime as society values wealth highly. working class crime rates are higher due to less opportunity to get wealth legitimately

Question 23

evaluation- strain theory
2 limitations

Answer 23

-ignores crimes of the wealthy, over-predicts amount of working class crime
-sees deviance as an individual response- ignores group deviance of delinquent subcultures

Question 24

evaluation- marxism
2 strengths

Answer 24

-shows how poverty+inequality causes working class crime and how capitalism promotes greed+encourages upper class crime
-show how law-making and law enforcement are biased against working class+in favour of the rich

Question 25

evaluation- marxism 2 limitations

Answer 25

-focuses on class+largely ignores relationship between crime and other inequalities eg. gender -over-predicts amount of working class crime