AC2.3 sociological theories Flashcards
Outline Durkheims functionalist theory
Not everyone will conform to societies values and norms so crime is unavoidable
So we should consider crimes positive consequences e.g. when society has a common enemy and so unites to make positive change
Durkheims 4 functions
Boundary maintenance- criminal justice system punishes people reinforcing boundaries of acceptable behaviour
Social change- society adapting as a result of deviance and crime
Safety valve- some deviant behaviour can be good for society
Warning device- crime and deviance can indicate social problem that need to be acknowledged
Strengths of Durkheim
Durkheim was first person to recognise crimes positive features
Hollistic views of crime allows futhet political approach
Criticisms of Durkheim
Durkheim says society needs crime to stay healthy but doesn’t offer how much
Crime might be functional for society but not helpful from victims POV- lack of justice
Summarise what Merton said about the reasons why people commit crime
Society puts pressure on individuals to achieve culturally valued goals even if they lack the means to do so creating a strain that leads to deviance
Outline Mertons adaptations
Conformists- accepting both societal goals and the legitimate means to achieve them
Innovators- accepting societal goals but resorting to illegitimate means to achieve them e.g. crime
Ritualists- rejecting societal goals but adhering to legitimate means e.g. dead-end jobs
Retreatists- rejecting both societal goals and means to achieve them e.g. homeless
Rebels- attempting to replace societal goals and means with new ones, could lead to riots
Strengths Merton
Explains crime patterns shown if official statistics e.g. most crime is property crime because society values wealth
Shows how normal and deviant behaviour arises from same goal but different means
Criticisms Merton
Ignores group crime
Ignores crime with no economic motive
Ignores crime of wealthy that have already achieved the goals
Outline Cohens subculture theory
Crime is a result of the working class not being able to achieve goals by legitimate means
Crime is a group response to failure when they are unable to gain status and so turn to criminal subcultures
What are the three subcultures
Criminal subcultures- organised crime
Conflict subcultures- gangs organised by young people themselves based on claiming territory
Retreatist- those unable to access opportunity might abuse drugs and drop oit
Strengths Cohen
Shows how subcultures differ in different neighborhoods
Shows how subcultures perform a function for their members by giving them the opportunity for success
Criticisms Cohen
Ignores crime committed by wealthy
Assumes everyone begins with same goals and only turn to subcultures when they fail to achieve them
Outline what labelling theory is
