Functionalist Explanations Of Crime And Devience

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Crime is functionally necessary in order to reinforce norms and values. This is done for a boundary maintenance where members of the society is right and wrong.

Question 2

Anomie

Answer 2

Society left in a state of normless or chaos – no agreed rules. Therefore society breaks down.

Question 3

Parsons Bridge Analogy

Answer 3

Young adults testing the boundaries of society. (Reinforces the role of boundary maintenance)

Question 4

Merton, Strain Theory

Answer 4

Deviance is an individual response to structural problems
Believes crime is committed when people, often the working class, cannot access things for legitimate mean so gain them through a legitimate ways to gain success e.g. crime

Question 5

Retreatism (Merton)

Answer 5

Individual fails to achieve success and rejects both means and goals

Question 6

Rebellion (Merton)

Answer 6

Goals and means are rejected a new ones are made/substituted

Question 7

What drives crime?

Answer 7

Success