Functionalism and Crime Flashcards
What is Functionalism?
In sociology, functionalism is a consensus structuralist theory.
When examining human behaviour, tend not to acknowledge individual factors like biology or psychology.
They see society as a system of interdependent structures which shape human behaviour.
These structures maintain social order and consensus within society.
What is Structural Theory?
Structural theory
Focus on the structure of society
How is society organised (equal? What holds it together? The cause of conflict?)
How is Structural Theory related to crime?
Seeks to explain crime by looking at the nature of society, not by looking at individual people
Crime is the result of the structure of society (not a result of individuals)
Believe that crime is beneficial for society as a whole (deviance is a beneficial function to society)
EXAMPLE – it can improve social integration and social regulation
Durkheim (1858-1917)
saw society as a stable structure based upon shared norms, values and beliefs. This produces social solidarity/integration, where all members of society feel they belong to one harmonious unit. Most people conform and do not deviate.
What was Durkheim’s view on crime?
That a certain amount of crime is good, however to much crime can cause dysfunction and anomie in society.
What is anomie?
the state of lawlessness that comes with a breakdown of social order. People feel detatched from the collective consciousness and enter a state of ‘normative confusion.’
What is meant by “ Society of saints”?
Durkheim imagined a society of saints, populated by perfect individuals and claimed that deviance would still exist.
The standards of behaviour would be deemed so high, the slightest slip in behaviour would be considered a serious offence.
The individual would attract a strong disapproval from others. For example, impoliteness to others.
Why does Durkheim believe a certain amount of crime is good?
- Social Integration
- Social Regulation
- Social change
What is social Integration?
The cohesion of societies experience when they share collective expectation of norms and values within their own community.
What is social Regulation?
A function that societal structures carry out in managing public interests. (i.e staging public trials to control crime)
What is Social Change?
Crime brings social change, deviant behaviour causes people to reflect on what is or is not allowed. This can lead to necessary changes in legal reform
What is Robert Merton’s Strain theory?
Took Durkheim’s idea of anomie and applied it to his examination of contemporary American society.
Said that the vision of success in American culture is attached to material and financial gain, achieved through legitimate means like skill-building and formal qualifications.
The goal of material success is a part of the American Dream - (every American can advance their careers and make it to the top).
How is Strain Theory linked to Anomie?
The main argument of strain theory is that anomie is caused by the pressure (known as ‘strain to anomie’) to accomplish these goals and is felt most by those who have trouble in accomplishing them.
There is a strain between society’s expectations, and the means to live up to them.
Therefore, people turn away from legitimate means of achieving material success and partake in crime to achieve it.
If it is not possible for unemployed individuals to purchase something like a car, they may turn to theft as an alternative means to an end.
Merton’s 5 Responses
- Conformity
- Innovation
-Ritualism
-Retreatism
-Rebellion
What is Conformity?
Following the normative means of achieving success regardless of structural setbacks. This can look like working hard, getting a promotion, and becoming successful the ‘TRADITIONAL’ way.
What is Innovation?
Turning to criminal activity to achieve success. (Accept the goal but find illegal ways to achieve it).
What is Ritualism?
Abandoning the goal of success but still conforming to the means to achieve it. Considered to be in a dead-end job.
What is Retreatism?
Rejecting both the goal and the means to achieve it. Deemed a ‘dropout’. Merton associates these individuals with alcoholics and drug addicts.
What is rebellion?
Adopting alternative goals and aiming to bring revolutionary change to society. Rejecting the existing goals to replace them with new ones.
What is Albert Cohen’s Status Frustration Theory
A type of subcultural theory, developed by Cohen in the 1950s.
accepted Merton’s explanation that the generally valued forms of success are impossible for many groups to attain.
Cohen looked specifically at how this is the case for young, working-class males who tend to experience status frustration.
What does status frustration mean?
The sense of discouragement that young, working-class males felt because of being defined as ‘failures’ and denied respect from the rest of society.
cultures
How does Subcultures linked to crime?
The behaviours that delinquent subcultures value are those that wider society tends to condemn.
EXAMPLE: Society respects property – subcultures gain status in groups by vandalising property.
Members of the subculture groups are rewarded with praise and status within the subgroup if they successfully carry out those behaviours.
Male, working class delinquents engage in deviant behaviours to gain each other’s respect, but also to strike back at the society which has rejected them by framing them as ‘failures’.
