Functionalist Approach to Crime

Question 1

Give 6 points in regards to the functionalist perspective of crime and deviance

Answer 1

• Boundary Maintenance (positive)
• Safety Valve (positive)
• Anomie (negative)
• Strain theory
• Cohen’s subculture/status frustration
• Subcultural theory

Question 2

What is boundary maintenance?

Answer 2

The stabilisation of norms and values so that society remains together (social solidarity)

Question 3

What is a safety valve?

Answer 3

The idea that crime protects the stability of the family and those within it

Question 4

What is anomie?

Answer 4

Crime disrupts norms and values and results in chaos

Question 5

What does Merton’s strain theory suggest?

Answer 5

That deviance is a result of a strain between our goals and the means we have to get these goals

Question 6

What does Cohen’s subcultural theory/status frustration suggest?

Answer 6

Attempts to explain how deviant subcultures are formed (form subcultures to deal with life)

Question 7

What does Cloward and Ohlin’s subcultural theory suggest?

Answer 7

There’s 3 subcultures:

• Conflict subcultures
• Retreatist subcultures
• Criminal subcultures

Question 8

Give an example of boundary maintenance and conflicting evidence

Answer 8

• London Riots, Je suis Charlie etc.

- Doesn’t include those who perhaps sympathise or share characteristics with the offenders

Question 9

Give an example of a safety valve and conflciting evidence

Answer 9

• Kingsley and the Prostitute study - acts as a safety valve to protect the family
• Outdated - women would no longer accept this behaviour

Question 10

Give an example of anomie and conflicting evidence

Answer 10

• e.g. The Purge

- Consequences of crime prevent people from committing it and anomie is temporary

Question 11

Give an example of Merton’s strain theory and conflicting evidence

Answer 11

• e.g. the working class don’t have the means to achieve their goals so they turn to crime
• Only focuses on working class crimes of theft

Question 12

Give an example of Cohen’s status frustration and conflicting evidence

Answer 12

• Criminal gangs, anti school subcultures etc.

- Assumes the working class share middle class goals

Question 13

Give an example of Cloward and Ohlin’s subcultural theory and conflicting evidence

Answer 13

• Restreatist subculture - those who choose to be homeless

- Not everyone joins a subculture - some just accept their situation