Functionalism Flashcards
What do functionalist believe
Shared consciousness
2 Functions of crime
Boundary maintenance
Adaptation and change
Explain how boundary maintenance has a positive effect on society
-Reinstall norms and values
-Also acts as deterrence as it stops other committing crime as they see punishment (links to rational choice as cons outweigh pros )
What did Durkenheim argue ?
Too much crime or too little crime is a problem for society
Which theorist argues that pornography is beneficial is society
Davis
How is pornography beneficial
Acts as a safety valve as it protects the wife at home as it allows to husband to release his frustrations elsewhere
What Is the main purpose of crime and deviance ?
Offers people to cope with strain in society
Give criticisms of functionalist view on crime
~Say we need crime but don’t say how much crime we need
~Leads people to feel more isolated
~Don’t explain why crime exists in the first place
Who talks about strain theory
Merton
What is strain theory ?
People fall into deviant subcultures as they can’t achieve goals by legitimate means
What are the two elements of strain ?
Structural factors (unequal opportunities)
Cultural factors ( can’t achieve )
What is the American Dream ?
When you work hard to gain success
What is a reality of the American dream
Disadvantaged group denied opportunity for American dream
What is the Strain Anomie?
Lack money and opportunity to achieve causing individual to be frustrated and turn to illegitimate means e.g. crime
Responses to strain
Conformity : accept approved goals and try to achieve through legitimate means
Innovation : find new ways to achieve goals
Ritualism: don’t try to achieve goals but still follow rules
Retreatism : reject goals and means
Rebellion : replace society goals with new ones
Strengths of Merton strain theory
Both pursue money success
Shows how normal and deviant behaviour occurs through mainstream goal
Criticism of Merton strain theory
Too deterministic - not everyone deviates
What did cohen argue
Crime due to status frustrations and lead to them falling into subcultures
What did Cloward and ohlen say ?
There are different types of subcultures that lead to you commiting utilitarian (money based ) and non utilitarian (gang ) crime
What are the three subcultures cloward and Ohen found ?
CRIMINAL - organised .offers apprenticeship scheme
CONFLICT - disorganised turn to violence
RETREATIST -drug use
Miller focal concerns of working class ?(two )
Trouble -life involves violence
Smartness - look good and act sharp
What do Messner and Rossenfeld say
Winner takes all mentality pushes people towards crime
