crime + deviance: functionalist Flashcards
do functionalists see crime as inevitable?
yes, they believe its an integral part of healthy societies
what is anomie?
normlessness, a state in which expectations are unclear and the social system that keeps people functioning has broken down
what are Durkheim’s 2 positive functions of crime?
boundary maintenance
adaption + change
what is boundary maintenance?
crime produces a reaction from society, uniting members + reinforcing commitment to shared norms and values
what does Durkheim see the function of punishment as being?
reaffirm society’s shared rules + reinforce social solidarity
what is adaption + change?
all change starts with an act of deviance to challenge existing norms and values
what is wrong with too much crime?
threatens to tear the bonds of society apart
what is wrong with too little crime?
means society is repressing + controlling its members too much
what does Davis argue is another positive function of crime?
prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of mens sexual frustrations w/o threatening monogamous nuclear family
what does Polsky argue as another positive function of crime?
pornography safely ‘channels’ sexual desires away from alternatives like adultery
what does Cohen identify as a positive function of crime?
a warning that an institution is not functioning properly
what are criticisms of Durkheim’s theory?
-says society requires some deviance but doesn’t explain what the right amount is
-looks at the function deviance performs for society as a whole but not for different groups or individuals
-crime doesn’t always promote solidarity, leads to some being more isolated e.g. women
