functionalism Flashcards
1
Q
Durkheim’s 3 key ideas about crime + deviance
A
- crime is inevitable + neccessary
- Crime has multiple potive functions for society
- Too much is bad for society –> lead to anonmie
2
Q
Explain inevitability of crime
A
- crime = present in all societies + will always exist
- bc not everyone is committed to the collective conscious
3
Q
crime + deviance as necessary
A
- He argues all social change begins with some form of deviance
- e.g. abolition of slavery
- yesterdays deviance is today’s norm
4
Q
critique
A
-Realists criticise this idea for the explanation and allowance of crime. crime is a problem for victims + society, sociologists should be focused on ways to help policymakers prevent crime
5
Q
3 of the 6 positive functions of crime some outlined by Durkheim?
A
- Bonds are strengthened
- Deviancy provides a safety value
- Acts as a warning device
6
Q
Bonds are stregnthed
A
- mutual feelings of horror or fears, so bonds between them are strengthened
- e.g. James Bulger
7
Q
Deviancy provides a safety valve
A
- provides a relatively harmless expression of discontent
- so social order is protected
- e.g Cohen states ‘ prostitution performs such a safety vavle function without threatening the instsitution of the family’
8
Q
Warning device
A
- indicate than an ascpect of society is not functioning
- Cohen - certain deviant acts are useful warning devices
- reveals unsuspected causes of discontent + leads to change that enhances morale
9
Q
what does merton’s strain theory argue?
A
- crime increased when there was a strain (or gap) between socities goalss and the means of achieving it
10
Q
who is this supposed gap bigger with
A
- The Working class
11
Q
name the 5 types of deviance
A
- conformity
- innovation
- Ritualism
- retreatism
- rebellion
12
Q
what is conformity?
A
- acceptance of the cultural goals + means of attaing those goals
13
Q
what is innovation
A
- acceptance of goals but rejects the traditional/legitamate means
14
Q
ritualism
A
- rejection of cultural goals + routined acceptance of the means
15
Q
retreatism
A
- rejection of both cutlural goals and means of achieving them
16
Q
Rebellion
A
- makes their own goals and means of achieving them
17
Q
Evaluation
A
- does not explain how some ppl don’t turn to crime, even though they face strain
- emphasises that all crime must result in material reward. –> not all e.h. murder by passion
18
Q
Hirschi 4 key factors why we do not commit crime
A
- attachment
- commitment
- involvement
- belief
19
Q
Attachment?
A
- how much we about other ppl’s opinions + wishes
- e.g. psychopaths lack concern for others so commit crimes
20
Q
commitment
A
- person less likely to commit crime if they have made committments to things
21
Q
involvement
A
- busy with certain things
- so don’t have time to commit crime
22
Q
Belief
A
- person’s convition they should follow rules of society
23
Q
Evaluation of functionalist approach
A
- disregards other forms of crime e.g. white collar crime + focuses too much on working-class crime
- states criminal justice benefits everyone –> femenists + marxists would dosagree
