functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim’s 3 key ideas about crime + deviance

Answer 1

1. crime is inevitable + neccessary
2. Crime has multiple potive functions for society
3. Too much is bad for society –> lead to anonmie

Question 2

Explain inevitability of crime

Answer 2

• crime = present in all societies + will always exist
• bc not everyone is committed to the collective conscious

Question 3

crime + deviance as necessary

Answer 3

• He argues all social change begins with some form of deviance
• e.g. abolition of slavery
• yesterdays deviance is today’s norm

Question 4

critique

Answer 4

-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

Question 5

3 of the 6 positive functions of crime some outlined by Durkheim?

Answer 5

1. Bonds are strengthened
2. Deviancy provides a safety value
3. Acts as a warning device

Question 6

Bonds are stregnthed

Answer 6

• mutual feelings of horror or fears, so bonds between them are strengthened
• e.g. James Bulger

Question 7

Deviancy provides a safety valve

Answer 7

• 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’

Question 8

Warning device

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

what does merton’s strain theory argue?

Answer 9

• crime increased when there was a strain (or gap) between socities goalss and the means of achieving it

Question 10

who is this supposed gap bigger with

Answer 10

• The Working class

Question 11

name the 5 types of deviance

Answer 11

1. conformity
2. innovation
3. Ritualism
4. retreatism
5. rebellion

Question 12

what is conformity?

Answer 12

• acceptance of the cultural goals + means of attaing those goals

Question 13

what is innovation

Answer 13

• acceptance of goals but rejects the traditional/legitamate means

Question 14

ritualism

Answer 14

• rejection of cultural goals + routined acceptance of the means

Question 15

retreatism

Answer 15

• rejection of both cutlural goals and means of achieving them

Question 16

Rebellion

Answer 16

• makes their own goals and means of achieving them

Question 17

Evaluation

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

Hirschi 4 key factors why we do not commit crime

Answer 18

1. attachment
2. commitment
3. involvement
4. belief

Question 19

Attachment?

Answer 19

• how much we about other ppl’s opinions + wishes
• e.g. psychopaths lack concern for others so commit crimes

Question 20

commitment

Answer 20

• person less likely to commit crime if they have made committments to things

Question 21

involvement

Answer 21

• busy with certain things
• so don’t have time to commit crime

Question 22

Belief

Answer 22

• person’s convition they should follow rules of society

Question 23

Evaluation of functionalist approach

Answer 23

• 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