Functionalism

Question 1

What are Durkheim’s 2 theories and explain with examples?

Answer 1

Boundary Maintenance
- punishment reaffirms societies norms + values eg. murder = prison

Adaption and Change
- positive social change starts with deviance eg. Rosa Parks, Suffragettes

Question 2

How does crime play a useful role in maintaining social order?

Answer 2

Can indicate if institutions aren’t working properly

Question 3

What does A.Cohen talk about and what is an example of this?

Answer 3

Warning Sign
- show that an element of society is not functioning properly
- includes utilitarian and non-utilitarian crime
eg. theft of food shows that employers aren’t paying workers enough

Question 4

What does Merton talk about?

Answer 4

Strain Theory
- 5 modes of adaption
- anomie (normlessness in society)
- the American Dream = the stress of trying to achieve mainstream goals for some individuals
- w/c are more likely to commit crime

Question 5

What are the 5 modes of adaption?

Answer 5

Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreating
Rebellion

Question 6

What does Davis talk about + example?

Answer 6

Safety Valve
- crime releaves frustration eg. men w/ prostitutes keeps nuclear family stable

Question 7

What are the 3 subculture groups that Cloward & Ohlin talk about?

Answer 7

Criminal - long history of crime, utilitarian

Conflict - socially disorganised areas w/ high population turnover eg. gangs + turf wars

Retreatists - can’t succeed legitimately or not so drop out of society eg. drug users

Question 8

What does Cohen say about working class boys?

Answer 8

They lack the skills to succeed and so form subcultures