Functionalism and Crime

Question 1

2 Reasons Functionalists (Durkheim) believe that all crime is inevtiable.

Answer 1

1. Not everyone is equally socialised into the shared norms and values.
2. There is diversity of lifestyles and values - creating their own subcultures that others may view as deviant.

Question 2

2 Reasons Durkheim believes that crime is functional.

Answer 2

1. Boundary Maintenance

2. Adaptation and Change - all change must start with deviance which then challenges the established norms and values.

Question 3

What is Boundary Maintenance

Answer 3

Crime produces a reaction from society and reinforces the norms and values of non-criminals.

Question 4

Define ‘Anomie’

Answer 4

When nobody follows the law.

Question 5

What are the 6 functions of deviance according to Durkheim

Answer 5

1. Strengthens Bonds
2. Brings Social Change
3. Provides a Safety Valve
4. Creates Jobs
5. Publicity Function
6. Warning Device

Question 6

What are 2 criticisms of Durkheim’s theory

Answer 6

1. His theory is too optimistic and doesn’t apply to severe crimes.
2. Crime isn’t functional for the victim of the crime.

Question 7

What is Merton’s Strain Theory

Answer 7

He argues people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.

Question 8

What is Meritocracy

Answer 8

The legitimate way of achieving the dream or the goal including hard work, qualifications, talent and drive.

Question 9

What is the Myth of Meritocracy

Answer 9

In reality nobody has an equal chance of success due to stratification within society.

Question 10

What is the Strain to Anomie

Answer 10

Where norms and values no longer guide behaviour and ‘anything goes’.

Question 11

What is the Strain Theory

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What are the 5 different reactions to the Strain to Anomie

Answer 12

1. Conformity (99% of society)
2. Innovation (e.g a drug dealer)
3. Ritualism (e.g. pensioners)
4. Retreatism (e.g. a drug addict)
5. Rebellion (e.g. terrorists)

Question 13

What is conformity as a reaction to the strain to anomie

Answer 13

Where individuals accept the culturally approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately.

Question 14

What is innovation as a reaction to the strain to anomie

Answer 14

Where one accepts the goal of money success but uses ‘new’ illegitimate means such as theft or fraud to achieve it.

Question 15

What is ritualism as a reaction to the strain to anomie

Answer 15

Where individuals give up trying to achieve goals but have internalised the legitimate means and so follow the rules for their own sake.

Question 16

What is retreatism as a reaction to the strain to anomie

Answer 16

Where one rejects both goals and becomes a ‘dropout’.

Question 17

What is rebellion as a reaction to the strain to anomie

Answer 17

Where they reject the existing goals but replace them with new ones in a desire to bring out revolutionary change.

Question 18

What is a criticism of Merton’s Strain Theory

Answer 18

In post-mordern society, there is not a single set of common, socially acceptable goals that everybody aspires to.

Question 19

What is the Subcultural Strain Theory

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What is the 3 step process of the subcultural strain theory.

Answer 20

1. People feel strain between socially acceptable goals and means.
2. They then feel marginalised.
3. They then form anomic criminal subcultures.

Question 21

Why are working-class boys more likely to join criminal subcultures

Answer 21

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.