Functionalism and Crime Flashcards
Define “Socialisation” in Functionalism.
Socialisation refers to the internalization of values and shared culture into society’s members, guiding their understanding of what is right and wrong within that society.
What is the foundational belief of Functionalists regarding society?
Functionalists view society as a stable system of shared values, beliefs, goals, and norms, known as a Value Consensus. This perspective is structuralist in nature.
Explain the concept of “Social Control” according to Functionalism.
Social control involves providing rewards and punishments for adhering to or deviating from societal norms. Adherence leads to more opportunities, while deviance might result in imprisonment.
Why do some Functionalists believe that crime is inevitable, according to Durkheim?
Crime is seen as inevitable because individuals may not be adequately socialized due to diverse experiences, influences, and circumstances. This lack of socialization can lead to the blurring of societal values, resulting in crime and deviance, leading to Anomie (normlessness).
What are the functions of crime according to Functionalists?
Boundary maintenance - Strengthens shared values and promotes solidarity by defining right and wrong boundaries.
Adaptation and change - Deviance initiates change by challenging existing norms, preventing societal stagnation.
Safety Valve - Acts as a release of stress within society.
Warning device - Highlights serious societal issues through statistics like truancy and suicide rates.
Describe Robert Merton’s “Strain Theory.”
Strain theory explains deviance as resulting from a strain between societal goals and the means available to achieve them. Merton outlines five ways of dealing with this strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
What is the key concept in Albert Cohen’s Subcultural Theory?
Albert Cohen’s theory focuses on “Status Frustration” experienced by the working class, leading them to form subcultures as an alternate means of achieving status through illegitimate methods like crime.
Identify the “Focal Concerns” according to Walter Miller’s Subcultural Theory.
The four focal concerns in the working-class subculture, according to Walter Miller, are toughness, smartness, excitement, and fate, which shape their values and behaviour.
What are the three subcultures proposed by Cloward and Ohlin?
Cloward and Ohlin identified three subcultures: criminal subcultures, conflict subcultures, and retreatist subcultures, based on individuals’ different opportunities for deviance due to varying social structures.
Explain David Matza’s concept of “Subterranean Values and Drift.”
Matza’s theory suggests that everyone shares delinquent values, which can lead to criminal behaviour. However, most people suppress these values. “Drift” refers to moving between conformist and deviant behaviour throughout life.
What are “Techniques of Neutralization” according to Matza?
Techniques of Neutralization are justifications individuals use to neutralize deviant acts, including denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, condemnation of the condemners, and appeal to higher loyalties.
Explain the concept of “Anomie” according to Emile Durkheim in relation to crime.
A decline in the social norms and values of society
