Functionalism Flashcards
What is functionalism based on?
Value consensus which is a set of shared norms and values.
Functionalism believes that…
Society socialises its members into those shared norms and values, so society is a system made up of different parts or subsystems that depend on each other like the organs in the body.
What are some parts of the subsystem and how does it function?
Education system or the family meets the system needs such as the need to socialise children.
What is socialisation?
The way in which we learn norms and values in childhood so it’s the lifelong process by which people learn the culture of our society.
What are the two types of socialisation?
-primary socialisation: occurs during child’s early years and usually takes place in a family.
-secondary socialisation: occurs when the child moves into the outside world and is influenced by institutions other than the family like mass media.
What do functionalists believe about crime?
Crime is usually beneficial for society and can improve social integration and social regulation. Functionalists look at society as a whole and seeks to explain crime by looking at the nature of society rather than at individuals.
What does Durkheim believe ?
He saw society as a stable structure based on shared norms and values and beliefs about what is right and wrong and so this produces social solidarity or integration where all members of society feel they belong. So most people conform to society’s shared norms and values and don’t deviate.
What did Durkheim argue are the FOUR characteristics of crime?
-inevitable
-universal
-relative
-functional
What is by ‘inevitable’ as a characteristic of crime?
Means crime will always exist, it can be reduced but never eliminated. Because some people are inadequately socialised because society shares loads of subcultures so shared rules about behaviour becomes unclear.
What is by ‘universal’ as a characteristic of crime?
Means crime exists in every society.
What is by ‘relative’ as a characteristic of crime?
Means that what we see as criminal behaviour varies from society to society.
What is by ‘functional’ as a characteristic of crime?
Means that a limited amount of crime and deviance can actually benefit society because the experience of crime strengthens bonds between people.
What are the FOUR positive functions of crime?
-boundary maintenance: unites society’s members against the wrongdoer, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong.
-social change: for society to progress individuals with new ideas must challenge existing norms.
-safety valve: to protect other institutions like prostitution enables men ti release sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.
-warning light: deviance indicates an institution isn’t working properly.
What are some evaluations of functionalism?
-STRENGTHS: It recognises that crime can actually have a positive function.
-WEAKNESSES: Claims society requires a certain amount of deviance to function adequately but doesn’t explain how much is the right amount.
