Functionalism Flashcards
What does Durkheim argue?
A certain amount of crime is inevitable and beneficial for society
There are four positive functions of crime:
What are the four positive functions of crime?
Boundary maintenance
Warning device
Social change
Safety valve
What is boundary maintenance?
Brings people together in condemnation of the wrongdoer. It reaffirms society’s shared rules which discourages others from breaking the rules. Deterring other crimes from taking place.
What is warning device?
Deviance can act as an early warning mechanism that an institution is not fucnctioning properly.
What is safety valve?
Allowing minor crimes or deviance to avoid bigger problems in society
What is social change?
Some people delibrately defy laws that they think are wrong. This helps to change the collective conscience which produces positive change for society.
‘Society requires a certain amount of deviance to function successfully’, what is wrong with this?
His answer is too vague because he doesn’t specify what percentage of crime is needed. The amount of crime may be unhealthy and dangerous.
‘People share similar views on what is considered right and wrong’, what is wrong with this?
He makes the assumption that everyone is socialised in the same way.
‘Crime is functional for society’, what is wrong with this?
Disregarding the fact that crime may be wrong. He ignores the negative functions of society and ignores the victims. E.g: trauma
‘Laws is an expression of society’s moral sentiments’, what is a problem with this?
Laws can be changed and are socially constructed by society, so crime and deviance can also change.
What is Merton’s theory called?
Strain to anomie
What is strain to anomie?
In the USA, people wanted to live the American Dream but not everyone had the same opportunities the achieve their goals legitimately. There was a strain between the desire to succeed and the lack of legitimate opportunities.
What were the five types of behaviours Merton introduced as a response to the strain?
Conformation
Innovation
Retreatism
Ritualism
Rebellion
What is Conformity and an example?
Someone who accepts both the cultural goals and the institutionalised means. E.g: a successful banker.
What is innovation and an example?
Accepts the cultural goals but rejects the institutionalised means. E.g: a drug dealer.
What is ritualism and an example?
Accepts the institutionalised means but rejects the cultural goals. E.g: An alcoholic
What is retreatism and an example?
Someone who rejects both the cultural goals and the institutionalised means. E.g: monk in a monastry
What is rebellion and an example?
Rejects both the cultural goals and institutionalised means but sets new goals for themselves. E.g: shoplifter
‘People commit crime for material gain’, how is this problematic?
It only assumes crime is about utilitarian crime. He doesn’t take into account the non-utilitarian crime that is committed like rape or revenge.
‘Merton thought that deviant behaviour was particularly common among those from lower classes who were frustrated’, what is wrong with this?
People are committing white collar crimes but they are able to get away with it because they have lots of money.
‘Deviance results from individuals adapting to the strain to anomie. Are all crimes an individual act?’, what is wrong with this?
He ignores group crimes, not everyone commits crimes individually. They can commit crime in a subculture or a gang committing non-utilitarian crimes.
What is Hirschi’s control theory?
There are social bonds which pull people away from crime making them prevent it.
What are the four social bonds?
Attatchment
Committment
Belief
Involvement
What is the social bond ‘Attatchment’?
How much do we care whay others think? Like spouses and their thoughts.
What is the social bond ‘Belief’?
To what exttent do we believe obeying the law is the right thing to do.
What is the social bond ‘Involvement’?
How involved are we with society and what takes up our time?
What is the social bond ‘commitment’
What have we got to lose? A good job etc.
How can this view be problematic? (3)
Too deterministic
Cannot create generalisations
Take into account CAGE
