Functionalism Flashcards
What is the functionalist perspective of crime?
Crime is not only inevitable, it is functional (has an important role to play within society)
Durkheim
Functionality of Crime
Crime is not only normal but necessary, it defines moral boundaries of society and reinforces social consensus:
*Normal - it’s an everyday aspect of society
*Universal - occurs in all cultures
*Functional - has a range of benefits which help society function effectively
Durkheim
Crime and Social Change
Disability Rights - aim was to secure equal rights for those with disabilities and to increase public awareness
Criminal activity - protests, disruption, vandalism, anti social behaviour
Durkheim
Reaffirming Social Boundaries
Argued that crime played a significant role in reaffirming the boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in society
Durkheim
Crime & Social Solidarity
Argued that crime has a functional role of bringing people and communities together.
This is especially relevant when a serious crime has taken place, people come together to show solidarity against the criminal act.
This helps society unite and creates social solidarity
Durkheim
Crime & Economic Function
Suggested that crime also has an important economic function for society
E.g money laundering, buying drugs contributes to GDP
Durkheim
Anomie
Described as a state of ‘normlessness’
Crime is a result of individuals being insufficiently integrated into society’s norms and values
In periods of social change, the authority of family and religion is undermined, so people are more likely to experience anomie
Factors causing crime:
- individualism
- excessive hope
- too much freedom
- atheism
- weakening of family
Kinsley Davies
Crime as a Safety Valve
Some crimes are beneficial to society.
Prostitution enables men to release their sexual frustration, without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.
Low level crime prevents more serious crime from occurring.
Harold Garfinkel
Denunciation & Degradation
Degradation ceremonies are an important aspect of crime.
Courts ensure a person is denunciated, their social status is reduced.
This shaming shows society the penalty for violating laws.
This allows public moral outrage.
Robert Merton
Strain
Suggested Durkheim’s anomie is too vague.
Strain theory accounts for the strain between an individuals goals in life and the chance of achieving them through legitimate means.
Responses:
*Conformity - cope by doing their best and making most of what society can offer
*Innovation - commitment to cultural goals may remain strong but some reject the conventional means of acquiring wealth and turn to crime
*Ritualism - some have lost the ambition to achieve material goals, so gain satisfaction from meaningless low paid jobs
*Retreatism - small number of people reject both the goals and the means to achieve goals by dropping out of society
*Rebellion - some may rebel and seek to replace shared goals with more radical alternatives like crime
Travis Hirschi
Social Bonds
Delinquency takes place when a person’s bonds to society are broken therefore reducing the individual’s attachment to society and conformity.
These bonds consist of 4 components:
*Attachment - level of connection to others
*Commitment - an individual remains dedicated to working in order to achieve society’s goals
*Involvement - level of participation an individual has in the legitimate social and leisure activities in society
*Belief - an individuals confidence in norms and values of society
Robert Agnew
General Strain
Takes into account the frustrations that all individuals feel in everyday life and how this can lead to crime.
3 aspects in creating strain and frustration:
*Failure to Achieve Goals - describes failure to achieve goals which are valued by society e.g education
*Negative Experiences - negative experiences can cause strain and frustration e.g abusive parent
*Removal of Positive Experiences - likely to be the largest cause of frustration e.g loss of a job
Shaw and McKay
Zone of Transition
Zone of transition is an area where crime and deviance is present
*Characteristics - cheap rented housing, poverty, unemployment, high crime
*Social Disorganisation - constant movement of people in and out, prevents stable communities and a sense of social control
*Lack of Social Connection - no sense of attachment to one another
Edwin Sutherland
Differential Association
Behaviour is shaped by an individual’s social environment.
If people associate with criminals, they too will commit criminal acts.
Gordon Marshall
Sink Estates
Sink estates are a key cause of crime.
These areas lack community spirit and social control.
Reinforced through poverty, drug/alcohol abuse, unemployment.
