crime key people

Question 1

functionalism on crime

what did Durkheim see society as?

Answer 1

saw society as a stable structure based on value consensus, i.e. shared norms, values and beliefs about right and wrong

Question 2

functionalism on crime

what did Durkheim say value concensus produces in a society?

Answer 2

produces social solidarity or integration which creates a harmonious unit

Question 3

functionalism on crime

According to Durkheim, what is the benefit of having value concensus on peoples behaviour?

Answer 3

all members feel that they belong to the same harmonious unit so most people conform to society’s shared norms and do not deviate from them

Question 4

functionalism on crime

Durkheim argued that crime is what two things?

Answer 4

inevitable and universal

Question 5

functionalism on crime

what are the two functions of crime?

Answer 5

1. boundary maintainance
2. social adaptation

Question 6

functionalism on crime

how does crime perform boundary maintainance?

Answer 6

crime performs boundary maintainance through the punishment of crimes which tells individuals what behaviour is acceptable and what behaviour they should do instead

Question 7

functionalism on crime

explain Mertons strain theory in simple terms

Answer 7

suggests that the root cause of crime lies in the unequal structure of society as individuals fail to achieve societies goals through legitimate means

Question 8

functionalism on crime

according to Merton, where does the root cause of crime lie

Answer 8

Merton says the root cause of crime lies in the unequal structure of society

Question 9

functionalism on crime

why do individuals resort to crime according to Merton?

Answer 9

they resort to crime as they cant reach societies goals through legitimate means

Question 10

functionalism on crime

What does Merton say pushes people to commit crime due to its unrealistic nature?

Answer 10

the american dream

Question 11

functionalism on crime

what can stop individuals from achieving the american dream through legitimate means?

Answer 11

poverty, poor/lack of education, race, heathcare etc

Question 12

functionalism on crime

According to Merton, individuals engage in criminal and deviant behaviour when…….

Answer 12

individuals engage in criminal and deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve societies goals by legitimate means

Question 13

functionalism on crime

how many responses to the American dream are there according to Merton?

Answer 13

5 responses

Question 14

functionalism on crime

what are the 5 different responses to the american dream according to Merton?

Answer 14

1. conformism
2. innovation
3. ritualism
4. retreatism
5. rebellion

Question 15

functionalism on crime

Mertons strain theory - what is conformism

Answer 15

conformism - accepting the goals and legitimate means to achieve them

Question 16

functionalism on crime

Mertons strain theory - what is innovation?

Answer 16

innovation - attempting to rech the american dream using illegitimate means

Question 17

functionalism on crime

Mertons strain theory - what is ritualism?

Answer 17

ritualism - rejecting the goals but conforming to the means (legitimate means)

Question 18

functionalism on crime

Mertons strain theory - what is retreatism?

Answer 18

retreatism - rejecting the goals and the means but using illegitimate means

Question 19

functionalism on crime

Mertons strain theory - what is rebellion?

Answer 19

rebellion - replacing the means and goals with their own means and goals

Question 20

functionalism on crime

what is the stain to anomie according to Merton?

Answer 20

strain to anomie - those who cant reach societies goals feel pressure to turn to illegitimate means

Question 21

functionalism on crime

according to Merton what is the problem regarding equality?

Answer 21

the problem is that not everyone has equal chances of success

Question 22

functionalism on crime

according to Merton what is the impact of not everyone having equal chances of success?

Answer 22

the impact of not eveyone having equal chances of success is that some individuals feel more strain than others to achieve the goals society sets for them

Question 23

functionalism on crime

name the 3 critiques of Mertons strain theory

Answer 23

1. merton focuses on individual responses but does recognise the social pattern of crime and deviance
2. merton says that most people dont turn to crime but doesnt explain why they dont turn to crime
3. merton doesnt recognise that there are many outwardly respectable apparently conforming successful people who are engaged in illegal activity

Question 24

functionalism on crime

what does Cohen say crime and deviance can be a warning sign of?

Answer 24

Cohen says crime and deviance can be a warning sign that an institution is not functioning properly

Question 25

functionalism on crime

what type of crime does cohen focus on and the definition of this crime?

Answer 25

cohen focuses on non-utlitarian crime which is crime not commited for financial gain such as vandalism

Question 26

functionalism on crime

what does cohen see subcultural deviance as a response to?

Answer 26

cohen sees subcultural deviance as a group response to failure (not an individual response)