Func Flashcards
What does Durkheim say are the positives about crime?
Boundary Maintenance – Clarifying social boundaries,
Adaptation and Change – change and reform,
Publicity function,
What are examples about Durkheim’s positives about crime?
Manchester Bombing, Murder of James Bulger, Suffragettes campaign, Black Lives Matter Protests
What are strengths supporting Functionalists ideas?
Still Relevant in todays society.
Underpins other crimes
Adaptions of theories + Why Crime exists from func view
What are weaknesses against Functionalists ideas?
Outdated- safety valve examples are outdated
No Focus on Victims
Doesn’t answer:
How much is the right amount?
Why does it exist in the first place?
Does crime promote Solidarity? (Not always positive- fear as a result of crime)
How does Crime act as a safety valve?
Davis- Prostitution= release sexual tension without threatening Nuclear fam
Polsky- Porn= Sexual desires without cheating on partner
How does crime help recognise problems in society?
Cohen- “crime serves as a warning” - something is wrong with society.
SUPPORTING THE IDEA- CRIME IS inevitable
Erikson- Society is designed to promote deviance and to promote deviance and police maintain a certain level of crime
Who comes up with the strain theory?
What two Factors are with it?
Merton- 5 responses to Value Consensus.
Love it, Abuse it, Neglect it, reject it, radically change it.
Cultural and Structural
How does the strain theory lead to crime?
Strain to anomie, Gap between Goal + Opportunity to achieve
Lack of legitimate opportunities
Who comes up with Status Frustration?
How does it build on strain theory ?
Cohen-
Agrees= Crime sates @ face value
Disagree= C+D in groups
Merton only focus on utilitarian crime
What is Status Frustration?
Official status hierarchy.
Forms delinquent subculture
What are Evaluation points for Cohen
Strengths-
Offers Explanation for Utilitarian crime and for group deviance not just individuals.
Weaknesses-
Assumes WC commit more crime, Ignores idea they never shared these values in the first place.
Miller
Lower class has own independent subculture. Deviance- within this SC attempt to meet its own goals.
Matza
Drift in and out of delinquency
