crime and deviance - functionalism Flashcards
what are the 3 words functionalists say crime is?
- crime is functional
- crime is inevitable
- crime is necessary
why do functionalists believe crime is functional?
- boundaries of acceptable behaviors made known by the arrest of those who transgress/break rules.
- strengthens social bonds between people and reaffirms values when they are drawn together by horrific crimes.
- public opinions on crime ats like a gauge and can cause a change in law. - Sarah’s law
what caused Sarah’s law?
- Sarah Payne was an 8-year-old girl who was abducted and killed by a convicted child predator Roy whitting.
- came into place after Sarah’s mum, sara advocated for a law to be put into place that allows parents to know of all sex offenders living in their areas
- Sarah’s law was then created which allows parents or careers to phone up the police and request the records of someone they were wary about - if their was anything of concern then they could tell the parents.
how would functionalists argue Sarah paynes murder was functional for society?
- parents feel safe in the knowledge that they live in a paedophile free neighbourhood.
- safeguarding in school become more robust
arguments against sarah paynes murder being functional?
- has been a modest increase in child sex crimes since the law was adopted.
- nothing to stop offenders giving false address and going underground.
- investigators looking at one group found that only 80 out of 300 sex offenders were living in the address they had given to authorities.
functionalist argument for crime is inevitable?
- ## it is impossible for everyone to be equally committed to the norms and values of society.
functionalist quote on crime being inevitable?
“even in a society of saints a distinction would be made between what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour.”
- “because their are differences between people, there will always be those who step over te boundary of acceptable behaviour.”
functionalist argument for crime being normal?
- no society exists where there is no crime.
- abnormal levels of crime occur in times of social upheaval; the power the collective conscious is weakened and a state of anomie develops as people look after their own interests rather than respecting their neighbors
- individualism can therefore be seen as a source of crime/deviance.
what is a value consensus?
- majority of society share the same norms and values.
- this is important for society to function and maintain social order.
what is a social solidarity?
- a sense of cohesion felt in society.
- certain events happening in society can bring people together - promoting social solidarity
Durkheim’s view on crime and social solidarity?
- says that crime brings together upright consciences - crime being committed in a small town may lead to a public temper - everyone outraged together - social solidarity.
what is the collective conscious?
- the idea that people know what the boundaries of acceptable behavior are and the results if they cross them.
- it is important for boundaries to be transgressed every so often - the rest of the community can then see the consequence of crossing boundaries - reassurance that boundaries matter.
- without boundaries, people may experience a sense of anomie.
what is anomie?
the breakdown of social bonds between humans that allow humans to understand social norms and values - a disconnection from mainstream society.
anomie and its affects on society
- when crime is punished it prevents anomie.
- if society has to much crime and deviance, without punishment or the value consensus breaks down then it can result in a state of anomie.
- state of anomie may result in an initial rise in deviance and criminality such as looting, violence and suicides.
what is the safety valve?
- functionalist believe deviance can be used a safety valve - some deviant behaviour lets of stream to prevent worse deviance.
example of a safety valve in society?
David 1961 study of prostitution.
- he claimed that there in a conflict between a man’s instinctional need for sexual satisfaction and society’s need to restrict the legitimate expression of love within the family.
- therefore, prostitution is functional as it provides sexual satisfaction without threatening the family as an institution.
evaluation on rime and deviance - durkeim
- one of the first sociologists to consider crime and deviance effects on society
- his ideas on anomie have been very influential and applicable to real life scenarios.
however,
- he didn’t consider the negative effects of deviance on individuals or issues relating to law and justice.
what is mertons strain theory?
- Merton believed that society has cultural goals that individuals are socialised into striving for.
- there are institutional means for reaching these goals - working hard to get qualifications to become successful and independent
- strain occurs when individuals don’t have access to the resources needed to reach these goals
- they develop 5 different modes of adaption
what are mertons five different modes of adaption?
- conformity
- innovation
- ritualism
- retreatism
-rebellion
what is conformity? (mertons strain theory)
- preserve with the institutional means to reach cultural goals - will work long hours.
what is innovation? (mertons strain theory)
- using unconventional means to reach cultural goals - robbing a bank
what is ritualism (mertons strain theory)
- preserve with institutional means but abandon cultural goals - choosing for modest goals for yourself.
what is retreatism (mertons strain theory)
- abandoning both institutional means and cultural goals - dropping out of school
what is rebellion (mertons strain theory)
- work to replace insitional means and cultural goals and replacing them with new ones - political activists, religious radical, terrorists
link strain theory and anomie?
- crime and deviance occur when goals are emphasised over the intuitional means.
- if altnerative means to the cultural goals are more accesiable, they become acceptable and preferable over the intutional means anomie will occur.
- in some socities there is a strain towards anomie - the goal becomes more important than the means.
evaluation of mertons strain theory?
- merton has been cristised for ignoring white collar crime, violet crime and vandalism.
- he also does not explain why most working class individuals are law abiding citzens
- overall, mertons strain theory has been very influential in explaining an inidviduals experinces and reactions to stain or stress.
