Evaluation of Functionalism

Question 1

What is an advantage of functionalist’s view of deviance?

Answer 1

It provides an important analysis that directs attention to the ways in which deviance have hidden or latent functions for society/

Question 2

Durkheim argues that society requires a certain amount of deviance to function properly, but what doesn’t he do?

Answer 2

Offer a way of knowing how much is the right amount.

Question 3

What is the problem with functionalists explanation of crime in terms of its supposed functions, such as to strengthen solidarity?

Answer 3

This doesn’t mean society actually creates crime in advance with the intention of strengthening solidarity.

Question 4

Functionalism looks at what functions crime serves for society as a whole, but what does it ignore? (example)

Answer 4

How it might affect different groups or individuals within society. E.g. seeing a murderer punished for his crime might be functional in reinforcing solidarity among the rest of society, but it obviously isn’t ‘functional’ for the victim.

Question 5

How does crime sometimes have the opposite effect of solidarity?

Answer 5

It leads people to become more isolated, e.g. forcing women to stay indoors for fear of attack.