FUNC PERSPECTIVE CRIME

Question 1

Key Names: name any key theorists for the functionalist perspective

Answer 1

Durkheim / Albert Cohen / Merton / Hirschi

Question 2

Intro: what does Durkheim believe about the function of crime?

Answer 2

He argued crime is an inevitable feature as everyone is exposed to different situations.
- there is a Benefit to crime as it creates new / changes in laws in society
E.G Sarah’s law

Question 3

Robert Merton: what is strain theory?

Answer 3

Strain Theory is:
- deviance can result from the culture and structure of society.
- Individuals feel a sense of anomie (normlessness) as they are unable to achieve material wealth

Question 4

Marxist Analysis: how can marcuse explain strain theory?

Answer 4

Marcuse argued of manufactured needs, people commit crime to acquire these things

Question 5

What are Merton modes of adaptation
Name three:

Answer 5

• conformity : individual adhered to goals set by society
• innovation : individual creates different means to achieve them ( criminal path)
• Retreatism : the individual rejects the goals of society ( drug addicts )

Question 6

Critisms of Merton?

Answer 6

• takes crime stats at face value
• presents crime as a w/c issue
• only accounts for utilitarian crimes
• assumes everyone has the goal of material success

Question 7

Define Cohens theory of status frustration

Answer 7

w/c youths believe in the goals of society but poor education and poor living conditions don’t give them the legitimate means to obtain them, and so experience status frustration

Question 8

Define Hirschi’s theory

Answer 8

Bonds of attachment: He agrees with Durkheim and states, people do not commit crime due to strong social bonds
(This is the only theory that explains why people don’t commit crime)

Question 9

30 MARKER STRUCTURE:
Is functionalism useful?

Answer 9

IT IS BECAUSE:
DURKHEIM - benefit of crime
MERTON - Strain theory
COHEN - status frustration
HIRSCHI - bonds of attachment

IT IS NOT:
MARXISM - New laws created by crime just reflects ruling class ideology
CRITISM 4 MERTON - this theory only accounts for utilitarian crimes
CRIT 4 COHEN - most w/c youths are conformists and this only explains a minority
CRIT 4 HIRSCHI - some criminals have strong social bonds

Question 10

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS!

Answer 10

1)Outline 2 ways crime is functional for society (4)
2) 3 ways the media create status frustration (6)
3) Evaluate the usefulness of functionalism (30)

Question 11

What did Durkheim say about the benefits of crime

Answer 11

1. Collective conscious - acts as a boundary
2. Enables social change - changes in laws
3. Acts as a safety valve - allows people to relive stress e.g Riots
   4.Acts as a warning device
   Shows society isn’t working properly