functionalism and crime Flashcards
2 durkeim explanations as to why crime exists
Inadequate socialisation: e.g sewell black boys lack a father figure so they are socialised by mtv as a role model
complex modern societies have a diversity of subclutures. Increased geo mobility means people brought together their own subcultures and values leading to anomie. modern society is prone to anomie
A03 of durkeims explanation of crime
Crime has always occured in society
anyone and everyone commits crime
doesnt explain all types of crime
Name 5 positive functions of crime
Boundary maintenance
adaptation and change
social cohesion
early warning system
saftey valve
explain social cohesion as a positive of crime
Horrific crimes such as terrorism bring diverse communities together to shame the wrong doer
Explain boundary maintenance as a positive of crime
when society reacts to crime, members react in condemnation of the wrong doer which reinforces commitment to shared norms and values. deviant behaviour is clear which discourages offending
explain adaptation and change as a positive of crime
durkeim says without deviance society would fail to evolve. Deviancy allows for new ideas to develop so society can progress.
too much crime threatens the bond of society and too little means society is too controlling
explain early warning system as a positive of crime
Deviancy is a warning that there is a defect in the social organisation of society. this means new laws can be made to fix the problem
e.g high rates of truancy indicated a need for change in education
explain saftey valve as a positive of crime
cohen argues some deviance act as a saftey valve for the release of social stresses.
e.g pornography channels sexual desires in a way that prevents adultery and rape.
this breaks norms but prevents worse norms being broken
Marxists criticism of functionalist explanation of crime
Crime is caused by inequality and conflict which is the natural outcome of capitalist thinking rather than a weakening of consensus
marxists argue durkeim neglects the role of the bourgeoisie in the shaping of crime. The powerful decide what is classed as criminal
Explain merton’s strain theory
People engage in criminal behaviour when they cant achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.
anomie is caused by failure to attain the american dream
what does merton argue is the cause of deviance
The strain between these 2 things:
the goals that culture encourages people to achieve
What the institutional structure of society allows them to achieve
Deviant adaptations to strain
individuals position in the social structure affects the way that they respond to strain.
conformity - accept cultural goals and legit means
innovation- accept cultural goals and seek illegal means
ritualism- reject cultural goal and abide by legit means
rebellion - reject cultural goals and reject means and replace goals with new ones to change society
retreatism- reject cultural goals and reject all means
explain cohen’s status frustration
poor access to good education and job opportunities left w/c kids angry with their ability to achieve status.
Wc boys end up at the bottom of the schools heirarchy. they are regarded as thick and put in lowers streams
explain alternative status heirarchy
They respond to status frustration by turning to delinquent subcultures.
w/c boys award one another status based on anti school and delinquent behaviour
cloward and ohlin 3 subcultures
criminal subcultures
conflict subcultures
retreatist subcultures
