Functionalism and Crime Flashcards
2 Reasons Functionalists (Durkheim) believe that all crime is inevtiable.
- Not everyone is equally socialised into the shared norms and values.
- There is diversity of lifestyles and values - creating their own subcultures that others may view as deviant.
2 Reasons Durkheim believes that crime is functional.
- Boundary Maintenance
2. Adaptation and Change - all change must start with deviance which then challenges the established norms and values.
What is Boundary Maintenance
Crime produces a reaction from society and reinforces the norms and values of non-criminals.
Define ‘Anomie’
When nobody follows the law.
What are the 6 functions of deviance according to Durkheim
- Strengthens Bonds
- Brings Social Change
- Provides a Safety Valve
- Creates Jobs
- Publicity Function
- Warning Device
What are 2 criticisms of Durkheim’s theory
- His theory is too optimistic and doesn’t apply to severe crimes.
- Crime isn’t functional for the victim of the crime.
What is Merton’s Strain Theory
He argues people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.
What is Meritocracy
The legitimate way of achieving the dream or the goal including hard work, qualifications, talent and drive.
What is the Myth of Meritocracy
In reality nobody has an equal chance of success due to stratification within society.
What is the Strain to Anomie
Where norms and values no longer guide behaviour and ‘anything goes’.
What is the Strain Theory
As not everybody has an equal chance of achieving goals, there exists a strain between socially acceptable goals and socially acceptable means of achieving them.
What are the 5 different reactions to the Strain to Anomie
- Conformity (99% of society)
- Innovation (e.g a drug dealer)
- Ritualism (e.g. pensioners)
- Retreatism (e.g. a drug addict)
- Rebellion (e.g. terrorists)
What is conformity as a reaction to the strain to anomie
Where individuals accept the culturally approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately.
What is innovation as a reaction to the strain to anomie
Where one accepts the goal of money success but uses ‘new’ illegitimate means such as theft or fraud to achieve it.
What is ritualism as a reaction to the strain to anomie
Where individuals give up trying to achieve goals but have internalised the legitimate means and so follow the rules for their own sake.
What is retreatism as a reaction to the strain to anomie
Where one rejects both goals and becomes a ‘dropout’.
What is rebellion as a reaction to the strain to anomie
Where they reject the existing goals but replace them with new ones in a desire to bring out revolutionary change.
What is a criticism of Merton’s Strain Theory
In post-mordern society, there is not a single set of common, socially acceptable goals that everybody aspires to.
What is the Subcultural Strain Theory
Subcultural theories argue that some people feel a starin when trying to meet the norms and values of mainstream society and therefore form subcultures as a response.
What is the 3 step process of the subcultural strain theory.
- People feel strain between socially acceptable goals and means.
- They then feel marginalised.
- They then form anomic criminal subcultures.
Why are working-class boys more likely to join criminal subcultures
these boys are unable to achieve mainstream status so they suffer status frustration.
this then leads to them rejecting mainstream culture and turn to other boys in the same situation.
