Functionalist perspective of crime Flashcards
Functionalism - Durkheim
Durkheim sees society as a stable structure based on shared norms and values
this produces social solidarity or integration where all members of society fell they belong - most people conform to these norms and do not deviate
Durkheim
Crime is inevitable because in every society some people are inadequately socialised and are likely to deviate .
Durkheim calls the anomie - Where shared norms become weakened
Functions of crime
Boundary Maintenance
Social Change
Safety Value
Warning Light
Boundary Maintenance
Unites society’s members against the wrongdoer, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong and reaffirming their shared values
Examples of boundary maintenance
Social change
For society to progress, individuals with new ideas must challenge existing norms and values, at at first this will be seen as
Safety Value
to protect other institutions in society
Warning Light
Deviance indicates an institution is not working properly - high truancy rates in school could indicate problems within the education system
Evaluation of functionalist
Crime does not always promote solidarity, it can have the opposite effect leading to people eg, women and the elderly staying inside. For example the Death of Lee Rigby had the opposite effect
Evaluation
He never explains why certain social groups commit crime
Evaluation
He claims that society requires a certain amount of deviance to function successfully but does not explain how much is the right amount
Evaluation
Durkheim considers the function of crime serves for society as a whole but not how it might affect different groups or individuals
Merton’s strain theory
The root cause of crime
