Functionalism Flashcards
What did Durkheim say crime was
Positive for society
Why 3 reasons was there why Durkheim said that crime was beneficial for society
Generate social change
Clarify acceptable behavioural boundaries
Create social integration
Social integration
Bonding society against its criminals
Why is crime dysfunctional
It also acts as a threat to society
Why is crime a threat
They fall into a state of anomie and the norms and values that untie society become challenged
What three things are challenged becomes of anomie
Consensus
Social order
Stability
Anomie
Normlessness
When does society fall into a state of anomie
During times of rapid social change where people become unaware of the norms and value
Is there social order and stability within modern societies
Yes because societies institutions have implemented social control
How is social control achieved
Socialising individuals into socially agreed norms and values and by integrating individuals into social groups
Examples of social control
Religion binds people together Weddings Funerals School Community centres
What did parsons say
Sickness can be seen as deviant as it de stabilises society
What did parsons say about the sick role
Medical professions perform important social controls and thus restricts access to the sick role
Strengths of Durkheim
Research has generated subsequent influence
Weakness of Durkheim
Not clear when the right amount of the crime becomes too much
Idea that crime is beneficial is questionable
Fails to explain why people commit crime and why others don’t
Robert Merton theory
Strain theory
Strain theory
The strain between the goals set by society and the legitimate law abiding means of achieving that goal
What did Merton say about capitalist societies
They suffer from anomie
What are the 5 different responses from Merton in relation to anomie
Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion
Conformity
Pursuing goals through approved means
Innovation
Using socially approved means to achieve goals
Ritualism
Using the same socially approved means to achieve a less elusive goal
Retreatism
Rejecting both cultural goals and ways to obtain it finding a way to escape
Rebellion
Rejecting cultural goals and means then work to replace them
