functionalism + crime Flashcards
sociologists ?
- durkheim
- merton
- cohen
- cloward and ohlin
what does durkheim believe about crime?
crime is inevitable society will always have crime and deviance to tend boundaries
what does crime happen according to durkheim ?
he argues modern societies have developed anomie meaning the rules that govern behaviour have become less clear cut
durkheim argues that crime is inevitable however too much crime may lead to ?
may lead to anomie, a small amount of crime can help prevent anomie however if we allow too much crime this could tip over into anomie
3 positive functions of crime according to durkheim?
- social solidarity
- boundary maintenance
- adaptation and social change
how does crime help social solidarity and boundary maintenance?
when crime is committed it can reinforce norms and values, when people appear in court, arrested or in the media this can act as a warning that certain behaviours are not acceptable ensuring social solidarity.
how does crime help adaptation and change ?
durkheim states that all changes in society starts with an act of deviance, deviance allows society to change and progress
- martin luther king
what is a safety value and example?
crime helps people express discontent and satisfy a need safely whilst protecting society for example cohen used an example of prostitution
evaluation of durkheim?
- doesnt explain why individuals commit crime
- how much is too much crime
- doesnt consider the negative effects of crime on individuals
mertons strain theory ?
on the US where he argued there is a shared value of success especially financial success ‘the american dream’ however the US is very unequal and there is a strain between goals and achieving them.
according to the strain theory why do people commit crime?
argues that people engage in deviant behaviour when they’re unable to achieve these goals through legitimate means
- strain exists between goals and ambitions that people have and their ability to achieve them
what is a ‘strain to anomie’?
a strain to not follow the norms people may resort to committing a crime in order to get what they want
what are the responses to train?
- conformity
- innovation
- ritualism
- retreatism
- rebellion
conformity ?
people follows the norms and values in order to achieve the goals
innovation ?
people accepts the goal however choses to seek alternative ways of achieving wealth and success
ritualism ?
people do not accept the goal however follows the norms and values
retreatism?
rejects the goal and norms they may resort to drug using or alternative lifestyles
rebellion?
replaces shared values with alternative that may even use violence to get there for example extremist views
supporting research for mertons strain theory ?
philip bourgouis - studied drug dealers in NYC and discussed the anguish of growing up poor in the richest city in the world, dealing drugs was their way of achieving success and respect.
evaluations of merton?
- assumes the goal is financial success but there may be other goals
- does not fully explain crime committed by the rich
cohen argues?
argues that status is the main goal for young people in society and WC boys are exposed to 2 value systems which bo0th lead to status
1 mainstream
2 delinquent values
WC boys find it hard to achieve their goal of status from mainstream values therefore experience status frustration. subcultures offer an alternative status hierarchy
evaluation of Cohen ?
- only focuses on WC boys ignores girls
- assumes status is the goal
cloward and Ohlin suggests ?
WC boys experience ‘blocked opportunities’ to attain goals through legitimate means therefore turn to illegitimate means to achieve these goals. they argue theres 3 types of deviant subcultures they go through
3 subcultures - c + o ?
- criminal - adult crime
- conflict - YC create their own crime such as gangs
- retreats - WC dont have access to either so resort to drug use
