Consensus Theories of Crime Flashcards
What are the two theories relating to crime and deviance according to Durkheim?
- relationship between social change and crime
- functional role of crime in society
According to Durkheim, what was crime like in a preindustrial society?
Durkheim was interested in why crime levels were lower in pre-industrial societies compared to modern societies. In the past, European societies were binded together by mechanical solidarity meaning people had very similar roles to one another
According to Durkheim, what were the 4 reasons as to why crime levels were lower in pre-industrial societies?
- nature of work (no economic competition)
- ascribed statuses
- social controls (family honour and religion)
- nature of punishment (death penalty)
According to Durkheim, why are crime levels higher in modern societies?
European societies found themselves in organic solidarity meaning people have vastly different roles who were interdependent on each other
According to Durkheim, what are the 4 reasons as to why crime levels are higher in a modern soceity?
- specialised division of labour
- achieved status
- social control decline
- individualism
According to Durkheim, what has organic solidarity lead to in terms of crime?
Anomie, people are normlessness and there is a state of moral confusion as to what is right and wrong. Social integration began to decline and value consensus was not a thing
Evaluation of Durkheim’s theory on crime levels being linked to social change?
Crime may of not been less of a problem, it just wasn’t recorded
Crime isn’t only a problem in modern societies
Crime such as theft has always been around
According to Durkheim, how can crime play a positive role in society (why is too little or too much crime a problem)?
Too much crime = anomie and social disorder
Too little crime = state is too controlling
According to Durkheim, what are the 5 ways crime can play a functional role in society?
- functional rebellion
- social cohesion
- boundary maintenance
- safety valve
- act as a warning
According to Durkheim, how does crime prompt functional rebellion?
Problems in the way society is organised
1) people may protest or challenge a particular law
2) people may act against a traditional norm or law
According to Durkheim, how do crimes lead to social cohesion?
People come together in collective shock. Can occur globally or locally. Manchester Arena Bombing
According to Durkheim, how does crime act as a boundary maintenance?
When people commit crime, they are punished. Some offenders are put on public view via the media reminding people the consequences of crime
According to Durkheim, how does crime act as a safety valve?
Prevents more serious crime from taking place. Criminals can let off steam which will mean they do not commit serious crimes that damage societies. Sexual crimes such as prostitution is a common example
According to Durkheim, how does crime act as a warning?
Shows to policy makers loop holes in the law that need addressing. If something happens frequently or unexpectedly. For example terrorism
Evaluation of Durkheim’s claim that crime performs a functional role in society?
Crime isnt necessary to achieve these goals
A too controlling state may not be a bad thing
Crime may indeed bring about further devision
What 2 theories come under Mertons strain theory?
- causes of strain
- reactions to strain
According to Merton, what is “strain”?
When people want to achieve a certain goal, but do not have the means to achieve it
According to Merton, how did people feel strain in America?
People in the USA were encouraged to pursue materialistic values and to believe in the American Dream. This was done through hard work and meritocracy
Merton believed the American Dream to be a cultural myth. Many people were born into backgrounds that meant they could not be anything they wanted (WASPS). Many people had blocked opportunities in life which restricted their access to the American Dream. People still, however, had agreement on what the goals the dream should be. People felt “strain” as they lacked the means of achieving goals
Evaluation of Merton’s theory on the causes of strain?
- better than other countries, at least some people can access the dream
- things have changed in American society, welfare state e.c.t
According to Merton, what are the 5 responses to strain?
- conformity
- innovation
- ritualism
- retreatism
- rebellion
According to Merton, what is conformity?
When people continue to accept the goals of society and try to achieve them using legal means
According to Merton, what is innovation?
When an individual continues to accept the goals of society but turn to alternative methods to achieve them i.e. crime
According to Merton, what is ritualism?
When an individual has given up on the goals of society but still accept that they need to follow the norms and values of society. They preside in low income job roles usually
According to Merton, what is retreatism?
When an individual has given up on the goals of society but do not try to maintain any legitimate job i.e. homeless