Functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Crime is the result of inadequate socialisation, and prevents a “society of saints” and a stagnant society, although too much crime results in anomie. The two functions of crime are boundary maintenance and adaptation and change

Question 2

Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 2

Delinquency results from legitimate opportunity structures being closed to young, W/C boys. Critique Cohen by identifying three subcultures: criminal, conflict, and retreatist

Question 3

Merton

Answer 3

Strain theory: Individuals turn to crime because they can’t achieve the goal (the American Dream) through legitimate means. There are five responses to this: conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels

Question 4

Cohen

Answer 4

Crime is subcultural as W/C males underperform in education, so struggle to achieve mainstream status. They experience status frustration and seek immediate gratification by performing criminal or deviant acts