Functionalism Flashcards
Why do people commit crime according to Durkheim?
DURKHEIM believes there is a tendency towards anomie and that crime is inevitable, disturbing social stability. He believes it is good for society. Not everyone is effectively socialised into the same shared cultures and norms and values, different subcultures create their own norms and values, which some mainstream cultures find deviant
4 functions of crime
boundary maintenance, adaptation and change, safety valve and warning light
boundary maintenance
crime produces a reaction from society, uniting them in condemning the criminal. this reinforces shared norms and values - social solidarity
example: 2011 uk riots - clean up streets after riots
adaptation and change
change starts with a act of deviance. society has many different new ideas, values and ways of life. people should challenge norms and values to bring change. as society evolves norms and values must adapt
example: natashas law - allergy death
clares law - domestic abuse disclosure scheme. find out if their partner has an abusive/violent past
safety valve
crime releases mens sexual frustration without threatening the monogamous NF - prevent disruptions (domestic violence)
example: prostitution
warning light
deviance indicates when an institution is malfunctioning. informs society that a change needs to be made
example: truancy: high rates in schools shows need for change in education system
strain theory definition
people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate (legal) means e.g. become frustrated and resort to criminal means
what is the american dream?
american society is meritocratic and anyone who makes the effort can get ahead. everyone is expected to achieve through legitimate means e.g. good job + qualifications. disadvantaged people may not be able to achieve the american dream legitimately (legally)
what are the 5 adaptions to strain
conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion
what is conformity
accepting the goal and striving to achieve it by legitimate means
e.g. middle classes - have opportunities to achieve
what is innovation
accepting the goal, but using illegitimate means to achieve it. this is typical of those who lack legitimate opportunities.
e.g. people at lower end of class system
what is ritualism
giving up on the goal, but internalised the legitimate means so follow the rules anyway
e.g. lower middle class - dead end job
what is retreatism
rejecting both the goals and the means and become dropouts
e.g. psychotics, outcasts, vagrants, drunks, drug addicts
what is rebellion
individuals reject the existing society’s goals and means, but they replace them with new ones and desire to create a new kind of society
e.g. political radicals, counter cultures - hippies or terrorists
cohens subculture theory
WC boys face anomie in the MC education system. they are culturally deprived and lack skills to achieve which leaves them at the bottom of the official status hierarchy - status frustration. they reject MC values, forming a subculture - provides them with alternative status hierarchy winning status through delinquent acts
