Functionalism and strain theory Flashcards
According to Functionalist Durkheim What is deviance?
What functions does he argue Deviance plays?
How did Davies support this idea of positive functions?
-Durkheim argues that deviance is functional, normal & inevitable.
-Deviance plays the function of boundary maintenance and social change
-Davis agreed stating that deviance acts as a safety valve. (E.g. prostitution)
Why do functionalist argue modern industrial society is more deviant?
What does rapid change lead to according to Durkheim?
What is too little or too much deviance signs of?
-Modern industrial societies are more isolated (lack mechanical solidarity).
-According to durkheim rapid change leads to anomie(Absence of social control).
-Too much or too little deviance are signs of a dysfunctional society.
How do Realists criticise Durkheim’s arguments? What do Marxists say Durkheim should question?
What does Durkheim theory fail to explain according to other funcs?
-Realists argue these ideas do not help tackle crime.
-Marxists argue Durkheim fails to question who makes the rules.
-Other functionalists ask: why do some people deviate and other conform?
What theory did Merton create?
What did he base this on?
-The strain theory.
-The American Dream. All Americans are socialised to want the Dream but not all have an equal chance of achieving it.
According to Merton what is there a strain between?
What 5 adaptations did Merton come up with?
-According to Merton there is a strain between social goals and the means to complete them.
-He identified 5 adaptations as; Conformist, Ritualist, Rebel, Retreatist, innovator.
Who’s concept did Merton develop the strain theory from?
Instead of a consensus where do Marxists argue the goals and means come from?
-Durkheim’s concept of anomie.
-Marxists argue that goals and means do not come from a value consensus but bourgeois ideology.
What does Merton fail to question? What type of crime does Merton’s strain theory not explain?
-Merton does not question why some find it easier to achieve meritocratically than others.
-OR Why most people don’t commit crime? and Why groups deviate together.
-Does not explain non-utilitarian crime (e.g. vandalism)
Who explained why people do not commit crime through 4 bonds of attachment?
What are the 4 bonds of attachment?
What did this theory not explain?
-Hirschi
-Attachment(How much we care about others opinions)
-Commitment(What we have to lose)
-Involvement(How involved we are in society)
-Belief(Our opinions on the idea of justice)
-However Hirschi’s bonds of attachment do not question why some in society have more secure bonds of attachment than others.
What theory was Cohen a proponent of?
What status do working class boys who fail school have?
How do they respond to this?
What type of crime does this explain neglected by strain theory?
What does this theory seek to explain?
-The subcultural theory(people in groups have different norms and values.
-Working class boys who fail school have a low social status.
-Response: forming subcultures or gans which invert mainstream values.
-This can explain non-utilitarian crimes like vandalism or fighting.
-It seeks to explain why crime rates are higher among working class boys.
Who’s ideas did Cloward and Ohlin combine?
What did they try to explain regarding geographics and crime?
What does this seek to explain about reasons of not commiting crime and sorts?
What is a criminal subculture? Conflict subculture? Retreatist subculture?
-They combined the ideas of Merton and Cohen.
-Where people live affects whether they have access to ‘illegitimate opportunity structures.’
-This seeks to explain why not all who experience strain/anomie commit crime and why those who do commit different sorts of crimes.
-A criminal subculture-organised crime(e.g. the mafia) where career criminals can socialise youths into their own criminal career that might result in material success.
-A conflict subculture- gangs organised by youths themselves. Based on fighting ‘turf wars’.
-Retreatist subculture- Those who are unable to access either legitimate or illegitimate opportunity structures might drop out altogether and abuse drugs.
What type of concerns according to Miller make working class boys likely to commit crime?
What are these 6 concerns?
What does Miller fail to consider?
-Focal concerns. The distinct set of values given to working class boys.
-Excitement -Toughness-Smartness-Trouble-Autonomy -Fate
-Miller fails to consider gender. Are these just masculine values or do working class girls share these?(Masculine sociology)
Who created the concept of Subterranean values?
What was this an alternative to?How?
What techniques are used to drift between values?
-David Matza
-An alternative to subcultural theories.
-Instead of some people holding delinquent values, we all do, and we drift between mainstream and delinquent values.
-Denial of responsibility
-Denial of injury
-Denial of the victim
-Condemnation of the condemers
-Appeal to higher loyalties.
How do Marxists criticise the functionalist perspective for crime? Feminists? Postmodernists? Realists?
-Marxists argue that functionalists fail to consider who makes the rules/laws: laws reflect the interests of a powerful minority, not a collective conscience.
-Feminists argue most of theese theories seem to ignore women.
-Postmodernists argue people commit crimes for excitement or because they are bored: cannot be explained in terms of norms, values and functions.
-Realists argue crime is not just an interesting social phenomenon: it is a real problem. It is not helpful to argue it is normal.
