Functionalism & Crime

Question 1

Durkheim (crime is inevitable)

Answer 1

Poor socialisation results in not everyone being taught the same norms and values.
The inevitability of crime stems from the inequality that exists in society

Question 2

Durkheim (crime is positive)

Answer 2

‘Boundary maintenance’ is the concept that crime is functional in society when there is the right amount. When people are punished for committing crimes, it teaches the rest of society not to go against norms and values, in turn strengthening boundaries and preventing further crime.

Question 3

Durkheim (Adaptation & Change)

Answer 3

Some crime can be functional for society because it allows social adaptation and change; this means that for society to have norms and values that change as a form of rationalism, a criminal act must take place.

Question 4

Davis

Answer 4

Agrees with Durkheim in that crime can be positive, but in a different way. He believes prostitution provides positive functions because it allows men to express sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.

Question 5

Merton (strain theory - 5 responses)

Answer 5

Conformism - accepting the goals and legitimate means to achieve them
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Innovation - subscribe to the goals of the American dream but use illegitimate means to achieve them
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Ritualism - reject the goals but conform to the means
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Retreatism - reject both the goals of the American dream and subscribe to illegitimate means
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Rebellion - replace the goals and means with their own

Question 6

Cohen (status frustration)

Answer 6

Cohen’s ‘status frustration’ theory focuses on working-class boys in schools who fail to succeed in middle-class environments, and in turn, form delinquent subcultures that go against middle-class norms and values. Subsequently, working-class boys try to succeed within subcultures by trying to rise in the hierarchy, which they have more chance of succeeding in. This explains why people commit non-utilitarian crimes.

Question 7

Cloward & Ohlin (3 types of subcultures)

Answer 7

• Criminal subcultures provide ‘apprenticeships’ for utilitarian crime. They exist in areas with stable criminal cultures, with hierarchies of professional criminals (e.g. drug dealers).
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• Conflict subcultures exist in areas of high population turnover. There is social disorganisation and only loosely organised gangs (e.g. postcode/turf wars).
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• Retreatist subcultures are formed of people who fail in both legitimate AND illegitimate means and may turn to illegal drug use (e.g. ‘junkies’).