Functionalism, Strain, and Subcultural Theory

Question 1

4 positive functions of crime

Answer 1

Boundary maintenance (Durkheim) reinforce acceptable behaviour through punishments

Adaption + change (Durkheim) without deviancy society will become stagnant

Safety valve (Davis) minor crimes prevent more serious ones

Warning sign (Cohen) increase in a certain crime, something needs to change

Question 2

Merton’s strain theory

Answer 2

Crime is a response to the strain placed upon others to achieve the ‘American dream’
- conformity
- innovation (alt means)
- ritualism (believe never will)
- rebellion (reject goals, create own)
- retreatism (reject)

Question 3

Cohen’s concept of status frustration & his subcultural view

Answer 3

• frustrated by inability to achieve, turn to crime to achieve status

Question 4

Cloward and Ohlin’s three subcultural theories

Answer 4

• criminal subcultures
• conflict subcultures (little social cohesion)
• retreatist subcultures (cant gain access)

Question 5

Miller, focal concerns

Answer 5

• WC have different set of values e.g hypermasculinity, criminal behaviour appears normal

eval= not all wc are criminal

Question 6

Describe Hirschis control theory

Answer 6

• not why people commit crime, but why they dont (strong bonds in society stop them)

eval= assumes all people are bad, society keeps them good

Question 7

Evaluations of functionalist & subcultural perspectives

Answer 7

• ignores the impact crime has on individual victims
• ignores the role of the MC/ UC on crime (Marx)