C&D- FUNCTIONALIST THEORIES TO CRIME Flashcards
What did Durkheim say about society?
Society is based on value consensus, which creates social solidarity.
What are the two mechanisms Durkheim says society uses to achieve social solidarity?
Socialisation:
Primary and secondary socialisation teach norms and values.
Social control:
A system ensuring everyone abides by norms and values through rewards and sanctions.
How can crime lead to social change, according to Durkheim?
Crime can lead to social change and progress by changing society’s values, such as Mandela’s anti-apartheid campaign.
What is the “warning function” of crime?
Crime acts as a warning that there is a defect in the social system, which can then be rectified.
Example: The Bradford riots in 2003 or the London riots in 2011.
How does crime maintain social cohesion?
Crime can unite society in reaction to an offence.
Example: A vigil at Trafalgar Square following the 7/7 bombings.
What is the “safety valve” of crime?
Crime can provide an outlet for sexual urges without threatening society or the family.
Example: Kerb crawling or prostitution.
How does crime reaffirm the boundaries of acceptable behaviour?
Crime reaffirms the boundaries of acceptable behaviour by reminding society of shared norms and values.
Example: Public executions.
What does Durkheim say about crime’s inevitability?
Crime is inevitable—it will always exist. It can be reduced but not eliminated.
What does Durkheim mean by crime being “universal”?
Crime exists in every society because not everyone is effectively socialised, and different social groups have different values, which causes deviations.
How does crime function for society, according to Durkheim?
Crime serves functional purposes for society, such as:
- Reaffirming boundaries through legal
punishments. - Leading to social change by changing values.
- Maintaining social cohesion after horrific crimes.
- Providing a safety valve for dissatisfaction.
- Acting as a warning device for societal issues.
What are Erikson’s views on crime?
Erikson argues that crime is positive for society because it helps maintain social solidarity. Society promotes deviance, and the role of the police is to sustain the right amount of crime.
What is Merton’s strain theory?
Merton redefined Durkheim’s concept of anomie to mean a reaction to situations where socially approved goals are impossible for most people to achieve by legitimate means.
How does Merton explain crime in the USA?
Merton explains crime in the USA through the “American Dream” (success via wealth and status), where not everyone has the legitimate means to achieve these goals, leading to a strain and resulting in crime.
What are the five responses people can have to strain, according to Merton?
CIRRR
Conformity: Achieving goals through legitimate means.
Innovation: Using illegal means to achieve goals.
Ritualism: Abandoning goals but continuing to follow societal rules.
Retreatism: Rejecting societal goals and turning to addiction.
Rebellion: Replacing societal goals with
alternative values
What is the main strength of Merton’s strain theory?
Merton’s theory explains working-class crime and utilitarian crimes (such as drug dealing for profit).
What are the weaknesses of Merton’s strain theory?
Takes official crime statistics at face value.
Doesn’t explain why many working-class members don’t commit crimes.
Focuses on individuals, not groups.
Assumes everyone shares the same values.
Fails to explain non-utilitarian crimes like vandalism.
What is Cohen’s subcultural theory?
Cohen argued that delinquent behavior often develops among working-class boys who fail in school and suffer from status frustration. They form subcultures to gain success and status through deviant means like vandalism.
