functionalism, strain and subcultural theory

Question 1

What are the two functions Durkheim has for crime?

Answer 1

• boundary maintenance
• adaption and change

Question 2

What is meant by boundary maintenance + example

Answer 2

• crime produces a reaction that strengthens the existing norms and values, often through punishment of the perpetrator
• criminals getting a permanent criminal record

Question 3

what is meant by adaption and change + example

Answer 3

• for a new law to be introduced, a new crime must be committed
• keeps society progressing
• hacking became illegal when it was used to steal from a bank

Question 4

what positive function does davis believe crime has

Answer 4

• prostitution is a way for men to express sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family

Question 5

what does polsky say about prostitution

Answer 5

• pornography is an even better way of providing this function

Question 6

one evaluation point for durkheim, davis/polsky

Answer 6

Durkheim —- already blurred boundaries
- not many new laws now
- dont say how much crime is gud
Davis/Polsky - they both can cause many probs

Question 7

what does erikson believe about crime

Answer 7

• because of these positive functions, police are there to maintain crime not stop it.

Question 8

what is merton’s strain theory

Answer 8

• the america dream places more emphasis on the goals than the legitimate means of getting them.

Question 9

how can not fulfilling the american dream lead to crime

Answer 9

• it can lead people going down any road to make money
• it can lead people to rape because it portrays women as for men or weak.
• if you dont achieve the social side of the american dream it can lead to crimes like SA

Question 10

what are merton’s five labels

Answer 10

conformity — accept goals and have the means
innovation — accept goals, reject means
ritualism —— reject goals, accept means
retreatism —- reject goals, reject means
rebellion —— ppl form their own goals/means

Question 11

evaluations of strain theory

Answer 11

• marxists say it ignores the way laws criminalise the poor and not the rich.
• assumes value consensus
• only explains utilitarian crime
• ignores gangs and focuses too much on individuals.

Question 12

what was cohen’s theory to why crime happens

Answer 12

• status frustration

Question 13

what is status frustration theory about

Answer 13

• focuses on working class boys who fail to succeed in middle class environments
• when they fail they look for illegitimate ways to gain status.
• this explains non-utilitarian crime unlike merton

Question 14

what was Cloward and Ohlin’s theory

Answer 14

• three subcultures

Question 15

What are the three subcultures in the three subcultures theory?

Answer 15

1. criminal subculture
2. conflict subculture
3. retreatist subculture

Question 16

what is a criminal subculture

Answer 16

• provide apprenticeships for utilitarian crimes
• they exist in areas with stable criminal cultures with hierarchies of professional criminals
• for example drug dealers

Question 17

what is a conflict subculture

Answer 17

• they exist in areas of high population turnover
• there is social disorganisation and only loosely organised gangs
• e.g. postcode wars

Question 18

what is a retreatist subculture

Answer 18

• made up of those who fail both legitimate and illegitimate means
• may turn to illegal drug use

Question 19

three subcultures evaluation

Answer 19

• ignores crimes of the wealthy
• boundaries are too sharp
  + provides explanations for different types of crime and subcultures