Functionalism

Question 1

What did Durkheim say about crime?

Answer 1

Crime is inevitable and is desirable in a society, but too much crime can lead to anomie.

Question 2

What were the 2 functions crime performed according to durkheim?

Answer 2

Boundary Maintenance: criminality unites society under their value consensus, condeming those who have commited the crime. Leads to collective agreement of what is wrong. MANCHESTER ARENA ATTACK

Application and change: Functional rebels conduct deviant behaviour to demonstrate need for social change. Repeated protests leads to change in attitudes. STONEWALL RIOTS FOR GAY RIGHTS

Question 3

Give criticisms of Durkheim’s view on crime:

Answer 3

Does not indicate what the optimal level of crime is

Fails to explain why and how crime is committed.

Question 4

What is the functionalist view on social order and control?

Answer 4

Social order and control is maintained through socialisation into a value consensus and collective conscience.

Question 5

What did Merton say about crime and deviance?

Answer 5

It is a product of a dysfunctional society that is structurally unequal.

Question 6

What is the American Dream?

Answer 6

Wealth and Power - big house, white picket fence etc…

Question 7

What did the promotion of the American Dream lead to according to Merton?

Answer 7

Led to anomie - society did not provide clear guidelines on how to achieve it so people reacted differently.

Question 8

What were Merton’s 5 types of reactions to the american dream?

Answer 8

conformity - accept goal, legit means

Innovation - accept goal, illegit means

Ritualism - given up on goal but use legit means for own success

Retreatism - reject both goal and legit means

Rebellion - replace existing goals and means with new ones.

Question 9

Evaluation merton’s strain theory

Answer 9

+ explains why the WC commit more crimes due to denied opportunities

• doesn’t explain non-utilitarian crime
• assumes there’s a value consensus and everyone wants to be rich.

Question 10

What does Hirschi say about crime?

Answer 10

Criminal activity happens when an individual’s attachment to society is weakened.

Question 11

What are the 4 types of attachment according to hirschi?

Answer 11

Attachment: individual has goals and activities to achieve goals will become restricted if commit crime.

Belief: individual’s commitment to norms and values - socialised into value consensus so believes crime is morally wrong.

Commitment: interactions with others in the community means they are less likely to commit crime and go against their wishes.

Involvement: Individuals with extensive commitment are less likely to have time to commit crimes.

Question 12

Evaluate hirschi’s attachment theory

Answer 12

• little explanation for how crime is caused
• assumes social bonds mean the same to everyone

Question 13

What did Cohern say about the emergence of subcultures?

Answer 13

They emerge because w/c boys are unable to gain status in society and experienced status frustration.

Question 14

Summarise Cohen’s subcultural theory:

Answer 14

• W/C boys suffered status frustration so rejected socially acceptable values and behaviour
• band together and form delinquent subcultures
• subcultures reverse norms and values of mainstream society, offering rewards through delinquency.

Question 15

What did Cloward and Ohlin theorise?

Answer 15

Expanded on cohen’s subcultural theoru - explained different types of subcultures/

Question 16

What are the 3 types of subculture according to Cloward and Ohlin?

Answer 16

Criminal subculture
Conflict subculture
Retreatist subculture

Question 17

What is a criminal subculture?

Answer 17

Characterised by utilitarian crimes.

Develop in stable w/c areas with established pattern of crime.

Provided learning structure to aspiring young criminals.

Adults control youth preventing non-utilitarian crime which may attract police attention.

Question 18

What is a conflict subculture?

Answer 18

High rate of population turnover and lack of social cohesion.

Prevent formation of stable adult subcultures

Characterised by gang culture and violence.

Question 19

What is a retreatist subculture?

Answer 19

Emerge amongst lower class youth that have failed to succeed in mainstream society and the other 2 subcultures.

retreat into drug and alcohol addiction, shoplifting and prostitution.

Question 20

How can Willis’ lads study be used to criticise cohen?

Answer 20

Showed w/c boys had never aspired to be middle class, but rather just wanted a laugh so formed a counter-school subculture.

Question 21

How did Matza criticise Cohen?

Answer 21

No distinct subculture between young people - all groups shared set of subterrain values - things everyone does (under-age drinking, party hard etc)

Question 22

What did Miller say regarding focal concerns?

Answer 22

w/c boys were more likely to be socialised into values that meant they were more likely to engage in deviant behaviour - values are called focal concerns.

Question 23

What are the 6 focal concerns miller found?

Answer 23

Excitement
Toughness
Smartness
Trouble
Autonomy
Fate