functinalist view on crime&deviance

Question 1

mertons strain theory

Answer 1

functionalism
he argued that this is when structural and cultural expectations lead to deviant behaviour and anomie. Anomie occurs when there is a disconnect between culturally presented goals and the means to achieve them.Strain occurs when individuals are unable to achieve these goals due to factors like poverty.

Question 2

criticisms of mertons strain theory

Answer 2

goals are subjective and he assumes everyone’s goals in life is to achieve wealth when in fact it might not be
neglects crime and deviance amount the upper class

Question 3

Durkheim

Answer 3

functionalist
He views crime and deviance as inevitable due to lack of socialisation. He argues it’s important as it creates boundary maintenance against this and unites members of society against these crimes. For example stephen lawrence’s case and how racism is not okay. He also argued that c&d creates change and challenges outdated norms e.g the civil rights movement made a massive change

Question 4

Clinard warning device

Answer 4

functionalist
Clinard argues that c&d acts as a warning in society that something isn’t functioning properly such as inequality and structural issues for example a rise in crime rates in one area could suggest a lack of policing and a rise in youth gangs could suggest a lack of community support and an investment in education

Question 5

Criticism of durkheim

Answer 5

Critics argue that durkheim fails to adress modern and organised crime and their positive effect on society

Question 6

Criticism of clinard

Answer 6

doesn’t address violent crimes like SA that have more layers and effects on the victims rather than just a function in society

Question 7

Cohen

Answer 7

functionalist
Cohen argues that working class boys experience status frustration which leads to deviant behaviour due to not achieving status in education so resulting to other forms like gang activity to achieve status

Question 8

Criticism of cohen

Answer 8

class bias- only focuses on working class boys and ignores women that commit crime as well as other social classes and their deviant behaviour due

Question 9

Functionalists overall

Answer 9

They argue that crime& deviance is inevitable and universal as well as serving a positive function in society as well as seeing it as a reflection of society’s issues