Durkheim’s functionalist theory of crime Flashcards
what’s Durkheim’s functionalist theory of crime?
society is a stable system based on value consensus (shared norms, values, beliefs, goals) producing social solidarity.
two mechanisms for society to have value consensus and social stability/solidarity
socialisation- instils ppl to have the same shared norms and values
social control- ppl get rewards for conformity and punishment for deviance
however not everyone is committed to social stability/solidarity
crime is inevitable, universal and ‘functional’
in every society- some ppl aren’t socialised into norms and values and deviate.
in modern societies- too much diversity of lifestyles and values so they tend towards anomie (normlessness)
anomie definition
anomie= the condition of having an absence of social norms (ppl may feel ‘anything goes’)
Durkheim’s two functions of crime
1) boundary maintenance
2) adaptation and change
boundary maintenance
society reacts to crime by being against crime offenders- value consensus
boundary maintenance= eg. criminal law creates boundary between right and wrong behaviour. these shared rules reinforces shared rules and solidarity
adaption and change
all change starts as deviance.
for change to happen, ppl with new ideas must challenge existing norms (at first appears as deviance). if suppressed, society’s unable to make necessary adaptive changes and will stagnate.
more positive functions of deviance
safety valve: Davis
warning light: A.K Cohen
safety valve
David argues prostitution acts as a release for men’s sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.
warning light
A.K Cohen argues deviance indicates an institution is malfunctioning eg. high truancy rates infer problems with education system.
criticisms of Durkheim
he claims society needs a certain amount of deviance to function but doesn’t say how much is the right amount.
explains crime in terms of function eg. to strengthen solidarity but doesn’t explain why the crime exists in the first place.
