Functionalism, Strain theory and Subcultural theory Flashcards
Durkheim (4)
(1) function of deviance (2)collective conscience (3) boundary maintenance (4) anomie
Function of deviance
Durkheim- Deviance is a normal and necessary part of any society because it contributes to the social order (collective conscience, boundary maintenance, social progress/change, function of punishment)
Collective conscience
Durkheim- Set of shared beliefs, ideas and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society
Boundary maintance
Durkheim- Official and unofficial
Can be revised and are reinforced
Social progress/change
Durkheim- Deviance can encourage the dominant society to consider alternative norms and values, however there will always be things that won’t be tolerated, some things can also become even more intolerable
Function of punishment
Durkheim- Affirmation of cultural norms and values
Compensating for the bad thing
Restoring the stability of society/restoring the equilibrium, Punishment is usually public (expressive function)- seeing a person punished for a deviant act reinforces what a society sees as acceptable or unacceptable behavior
Anomie
Durkheim- Society with too much deviance is anomical
This can happen due to political movement, rapid change or recession
Anomic phases lead to society establishing order and making changes
Davis- safety valves
Release pressure in order to prevent worse things happening
He gave the example of prostitution (a crime) which prevents the nuclear family been threatened by providing sexual outlets
Cohen- warning signs
Deviant behavior can give warning signs for change
Hirschi (3)
(1) bonds of attachment (2) formal control (3) informal control
Bonds of attchment
Hirschi- Attachment to family, friends, status, job, home etc are important and the weaker the bond the more like it is that the individual will commit the crime as they have nothing to lose
Formal control
Hirschi- Police, government etc
Controls the more serious deviance and crime that the individual can be convicted for
Informal control
Hirschi- Family, friends, neighbours etc
Controls less serious deviance and crime
Merton- Strain theory
Goal attainment is needed for a functioning society and trying to achieve these goals creates/leads to strain on an individual (this depends on their opportunities, class, gender, ethnicities etc)
Culturally defined goals
Goals determined by a specific culture or society, eg in the west these goals are usually material or financial- “the American dream”
Intrinsic satisfaction
Gratification of achieving the goal through a fair process
Extrinsic satisfaction
Actually achieving the goal
Too much emphasis on the extrinsic satisfaction leads to deviance and crime
Strain theory- conformists
Young people are encouraged to strive to succeed through the available and legitimate avenues of opportunity
“Playing it by the rules”
Strain theory- innovators
Use their own initiative to devise novel, non-institutionalised means for achieving society’s goals, some of which may be deemed criminal
Strain theory- ritualists
Those who become stuck in a rut
Unable to progress towards society’s goals
They obsessively repeat the same behaviour which might or might not be criminal
Strain theory- retreatists
Drop out of society rejecting both the goals and the means apparently provided to achieve them
These are alcoholics, drug addicts and ultimately the homeless
Can be customers of the innovators
Strain theory- rebels
Assert their own agendas specifying personal goals and the means of achieving them
An example would be a political or a social activist engaging terrorism
Social solidarity
Durkheim
Strong sense of shared identity and shared values which makes individuals help and support each other
Marxist evaluation of functionalist theory
Functionalists try to prove that everything (even if bad) has a function
Durkheim ignores structural factors (upper class= white collar crime, lower classes = petty crimes)
Durkheim doesn’t explain why we have crime, Marxists argue that crime exists because of capitalism
Marxists argue that the value consensus and laws are there to protect the ruling class “the ruling ideas are the ideas of the ruling class”
Feminism (evaluation of functionalist theory)
Feminists argue that there is double standards of sexual morality
Domestic violence and sexual abuse etc are not a functioning factor of society/are not needed
Labelling theory (evaluation of functionalist theory)
Boundary maintenance is labelling and people will do it more (self-fulfilling prophecy)
Post- modernists (evaluation of functionalist theory)
In the 21st century there is multiple value consensus and we are no longer homogenous
Evaluation of the strain theory
Most crime is property crime- American society values material wealth so highly
Lower class crime rates are higher because they have less opportunity to obtain wealth legitimately
Official statistic however over represent the working class- Merton sees crime as mainly a working class phenomenon
The working class experience the most strain but don’t deviate
Marxists argue that it ignores the power of the ruling class
The theory assumes that there is a value consensus and everyone strives for money success
Only accounts for utilitarian crime for money gain and not crimes of violence
Equality = no strain
