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.
