crime and deviance (mocks)

Question 1

functions of crime - functionalism

Answer 1

1. warning device
2. help society to progress - today’s deviant are the tomorrow innovators
3. provides employment
4. safety valve
5. social closures - support each other
6. reaffirms boundaries

Question 2

Durkheim - functionalism

Answer 2

• crime and deviance is inevitable and a product of a lack of attachment to the value consensus
• the speed of change in the modern society courses crime and deviance and leaves people in a state of anomie - loss of old traditions and new economic processes
• also argues for social order, which is only possible because of peoples homo-duplex nature
• social order is important to protect the weak members of society
• crime needs to be limited to benefits society

Question 3

merton - functionalism

Answer 3

• agrees with Durkheim is the result of people’s differences and attachment to collective values.
• is an overall consensus but not all individuals are capable of realizing the goals of society
  e. g. American dream - value of meritocracy and materialism are the main goals in society
• crime emerges as an over focus on the goal of wealth over the importance of the institutional means
• react to this in multiple ways 1. conform 2. innovate 3. ritualism 4. retreat 5. rebellion

Question 4

cohen - functionalism

Answer 4

agrees with anomie but suggests that those at the bottom of the societal system develop a subculture of criminality
- argues that most crime produces little material reward e.g. vandalism and joy riding but happens as people are frustrated that they cant develop status or achieve social goals
- gain respect + prestige through crime instead of material wealth
weakness- some crimes are commit by powerful people in society e.g. Freud

Question 5

hirschi - functionalism

Answer 5

looks at why people don’t commit crime
4 types of control and social bond that produce conformity
1. attachment 2. commitment 3. involvement 4. belief
these controls are linked to Durkheim’s anomie and egoism and are product of deregulation

Question 6

weaknesses of the functionalist explanation of crime and deviance

Answer 6

• victims and victims families may not agree or like the idea that crimes are needed to provide employment or to reaffirm boundaries
• claim that the laws represent everyone’s interest but it is used by the powerful groups to control the weaker ones
• Durkheim fails to explore the negative affects of crime on the individual
• doesn’t explain why some people commit crime and others don’t