Functionalism Flashcards
Functional theorists
Durkheim
Cohen
Merton
Hirschi
Durkheim - Crime performs positive functions and is necessary
Inevitable and universal Deviance allows social change to occur
Crime becomes dysfunctional when too high or too low (high - threatens social order low - no social change)
Due to the diversity of modern society anomie occurs which weakens Collective conscience (shared norms and values)
Cohen
Deviance maintains social order in 2 ways
1) Safety valve relieves tension without threatening social stability e.g prostitution
2) warning device of emerging social problems e.g protests
Status frustration : lack of opportunities due to cultural deprivation leading to dissatisfaction about social status
Merton
(Strain theory focuses on concept of anomie to explain deviance - imbalance of cultural goals creates ‘tension) due to a lack of institutionalised means (finance)
Response to strain
- Confirmity (Accept goals and strive to achieve them legitimately)
- Innovate (accept goals but use illegitimate means to achieve e.g theft
- Ritual - Give up on goals but have internalised legitimate means. (Follow rules to avoid trouble)
- Retreating - Rehect both goals and means and become dropouts
- Rebelling - Rejext goals and legitimate means and replace them with new ones to drive revolutionary change
Cloward and Ohlin
Three subcultures
- Criminal
- Conflict
- Retreatists
Hirschi control theory
Develop Durkheim idea of collective conscience into idea of social bonds.
Four social bonds that bind us together
Attachment
Commitment
belief
Involvement
Crime as a result of weak institutions losing control over individuals. Focus on family as crucial in developing strengths and weakness of social bonds through socialisation.
Criticsms
Looks at the function and effects of crime on society as a whole and ignores individuals within society.
Crime does not necessarily promote social solidarity leading to isolation(fear of being attacked)
