Emile Durkheim (functionalism)

Question 1

What does Durkheim suggest about crime?

Answer 1

that it is inevitable and not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments or values and beliefs

Question 2

Crime is considered to be…

Answer 2

functional and only becomes dysfunctional when the rate is too high or low

Question 3

What would happen if the collective sentiments are too strong?

Answer 3

there will be little change, it can be seen in the change of law of homosexuality.
If there was no opposition to this law there would have been no change and practising homosexuality would still be illegal.

Question 4

What would happen if the collective sentiments are too weak?

Answer 4

there would be too much crime and the status quo breaks down with chaos possibly resulting

Question 5

What does crime strengthen?

Answer 5

social cohesion or the willingness of members of society to cooperate with one another

Question 6

What does crime maintain?

Answer 6

the boundaries with society, reacting and uniting and reinforcing their commitment to the value consensus