FUNCTIONAALIST & SUBCULTURAL Flashcards
Explain the meaning of ‘Boundary Maintenance’
Is what occurs when a crime benefits society, it upholds value consensus. For example social solidarity is strengthened as people bond over the conviction of a criminal
Give two Criticisms of Durkheim’s theory
He argues that crime is functional and benefits society (this is not always true and it is far from functional for the victim)
It can be something that divides society even more, for example, racial crime.
Outline Merton’s strain theory
He argues people commit crime because people cannot achieve the socially approved goals legitimately, so have to commit crime to achieve them.
List the names of Merton’s five different adaptations.
Conformity, Innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion
Give Two criticisms of Merton’s theory
Only says why people commit Utilitarian crime. Fails to outline why Non-utilitarian
He says everyone has the same middle class goals, when some do not.
Explain the meaning of Status frustration, Alternative Status hierarchy, Value inversion (Cohen Strain Theory)
Status Frustration: When someone is unhappy with their status in society
Alternative Status Hierarchy: An individual may not be able to achieve status in mainstream society, so in subcultures they have a mini society which they can achieve the top
Value inversion: When a group or Subculture inverts society’s mainstream values
What are the two Key Differences between Merton’s Theory and Cohen’s Strain theory?
- Merton focuses on why individuals commit crime and deviance whilst Cohen’s theory focuses on why groups and subcultures do so.
- Cohen’s theory accounts for non-utilitarian as well as utilitarian whereas Merton only does the latter (non Utilitarian)
One Criticism of Cohen:
It is a reactive theory - Cohen assumes everyone shares the same middle class mainstream values and goals whereas not all will do so.
Outline and explain Cloward and Ohlin’s three subcultures
Criminal: Gives young people an opportunity to get into crime by associating with adults in a hierarchy. Allows young people to have role models and a future career as a criminal
Conflict: Based on violence between working class gangs and can be used as an Outlet for those with frustrations about their legitimate opportunities being blocked.
Retreatist - Based on illegal drug use or alcohol and consists of those who have failed in both mainstream legitimate opportunities and subcultural illegitimate opportunities
Two criticisms of Cloward and Ohlin
Their theory is reactive - assumes everyone shares the same mainstream goals and fails when not everyone in the lower classes hold these same goals
Marxists argue that the power structure with the wealthy at the top and poor at the bottom mean they ignore the middle class crime and deviance, (only focus on working class)
Miller: Explain ‘Focal Concerns’
Alternative to mainstream values, rather than striving to achieve these, Miller sees working class means as aiming to achieve these concerns which excitement, fate etc. These can be classed as the characteristics of many who commit crime and deviance.
Matza - What are techniques of neutralisation
Those who are deviant use to these techniques to avoid criminalisation. Often involve denying the crime and responsibility, appealing to higher loyalties and using that as an excuse as to why they did what they did what they did.
Argues these techniques suggest such individuals do share the same individuals.
