Functionalism Flashcards
Three key ideas about crime:
Crime is inevitable, has positive functions, too much or too little crime is bad for society
Crime is inevitable
Not every individual can be committed to the collective sentiments of society
Where does social change begin from?
Some form of deviance
Society of saints
Perfect individuals
- slightest slip of behaviour would be regarded as a serious offence
- attract strong disapproval
Social regulation
Reaffirms boundaries of acceptable behaviour
- media broadcasting - warns those not to breach the walls of the law
Social integration
Strengthens social cohesion
- community joins together in outrage, sense of belonging is strengthened
Social change
Legal reform necessary
- helps the law to reflect the wishes of the population
When does crime become dysfunctional?
Too much or too little of it
- too much and social order would break down
- too little and there would not be sufficient capacity for positive change
Punishment to Durkheim
‘Serves to heal the wounds done to the collective sentiments’
