Functionalism Flashcards
How do Functionalists see society?
A stable system based upon value consensus - shared values, norms and beliefs.
What does Durkheim believe about crime and deviance?
It has a positive effect on society and crime is inevitable and universal and serves a purpose.
What are the 2 reasons for why people commit crime?
1) not everyone is effectively socialised
2) diversity of lifestyles
How are the rules presented in modern societies?
They are weaker now as individuals will have social and cultural diversity which weakens their collective conscience and shared culture.
What are the 4 factors for why crime is good for society?
1) boundary maintenance
2) adaptation and change
3) safety valve
4) warning light
In boundary maintenance what does crime produce?
A positive reaction form society as it unites people together - the punishment reaffirms society’s shared values.
What 2 examples is there for boundary maintenance?
1) 2011 UK riots as people came together to clean up the streets
2) James Burger killers who are the 2 kids who killed the 5 year old.
What evaluation is there for boundary maintenance?
Ignores how crime and deviance will affect individuals.
What does Durkheim say in adaptation and change?
That all changes will start with an act of deviance and society needs to adapt to these new ideas and cannot be stifled by social control.
What 3 examples is there for adaptation and change?
1) Natasha’s law (2016) - a law protecting allergies so food businesses will have to include the full ingredients on the package.
2) Clare’s law - Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme - people could find out if their later had an abusive past.
3) Suffragettes - allowed reforms like the equal pay act.
What evaluation is there for adaptation and change?
Society requires a certain amount of deviance to function successfully
What does Davis and Polsky (1967) say in safety valve?
Davis says crime can release sexual frustration.
Polsky says pornography safely channels a variety of sexual desires away.
What 1 example is there for safety valve?
1) prostitution
What evaluation is there for safety valve?
Radical feminists will say prostitution is contributing to the patriarchy and controlling women.
What does Cohen say in warning light?
That deviance will indicate when an institution is malfunctioning and a change will need to happen in society.