functionalism

Question 1

what did Durkheim believed crime was?

Answer 1

inevitable and necessary
however, too much crime can lead to Anomie, therefore not functional for society

Question 2

What did Durkheim believe crime did/ functions of crime?

Answer 2

defines boundaries
tests boundaries
creates social change
creates social cohesion

Question 3

Explain how Durkheim believes crime defines boundaries?

Answer 3

media will inform us of consequences faced by criminals and deviants makes clear what’s acceptable and unacceptable

Question 4

Explain how Durkheim believes crime tests boundaries?

Answer 4

way of testing what’s acceptable and no acceptable, if boundary pushed by mass of deviants it becomes acceptable

Question 5

Explain how Durkheim believes crime creates social change?

Answer 5

all social change starts with deviance in order to progress
e.g.- homosexuality

Question 6

Explain how Durkheim believes crime creates social cohesion?

Answer 6

reinforcing function for bonding society together against a common enemy

Question 7

Who says crime acts as a safety valve?

Answer 7

Kingsley Davis

Question 8

Explain Kingsley Davis’ crime as a safety valve?

Answer 8

deviance can be a way of providing relatively harmless expression of discontent in society without becoming threat to stability of society

Question 9

How could we argue that pornography or prostitution are not examples of this ?

Answer 9

pornographic material objectifies women encouraging violence against women
alternatively, could argue that pornography acts as a way to relieve sexual desires, leads to safety

Question 10

Who said that crime acted as a warning device?

Answer 10

Albert Cohen

Question 11

Explain How Albert Cohen says crime acts as a safety valve?

Answer 11

certain deviant acts act as a warning to indicate that an aspect of society is malfunctioning

Question 12

How could we argue that Cohen’s crime as a warning deviance does not support the example of gang crime or school truancy

Answer 12

only a warning if behaviour is caught, behaviour could go unnoticed

Question 13

How else can we criticise functionalism?

Answer 13

crime harmful to individuals and society
deviance begets deviance
fail to take in patriarchy/ capitalism

Question 14

Who said he control theory of crime?

Answer 14

Hirschi

Question 15

What were Hirschi’s reasons why someone has a chance of committing a crime?

Answer 15

attachment
involvement
commitment
belief in society

Question 16

Explain Hirschi’s attachment?

Answer 16

affection and sensitivity to others
example-family

Question 17

Explain Hirschi’s involvement?

Answer 17

being busy, restricted opportunities for delinquency
example-job

Question 18

Explain Hirschi’s belief in society?

Answer 18

degree to what person thinks hey should obey the law
example-law

Question 19

Explain Hirschi’s commitment?

Answer 19

investment in conventional society or stake in conformity
example- job

Question 20

Explain Merton’s Strain theory of crime?

Answer 20

goals and means of society
person who has agreed goals of society and follows legitimate means to achieve them is conformist
winning game more important then playin by the rules

Question 21

explain Merton’s Innovation?

Answer 21

eject normative means achieving success, turn to crime
crime promises greater rewards then legitimate means
however, Merton claims that membership of lower strata not necessarily mean deviance- people likely to accept position

Question 22

explain Merton’s Ritualism?

Answer 22

abandoned common success goals
unable to innovate and jobs w no opportunity for advancement only solution abandon goals

Question 23

explain Merton’s Retreatism?

Answer 23

psychotics, tramps, drug addicts
internalised universal goals and means but cannot achieve
abandon goals and means
drop out of society

Question 24

explain Merton’s rebellion?

Answer 24

reject success goals and means, replaces w different
adopt alternative wish to create new society
revolutionary change