functionalist, strain and subcultural theories Flashcards
what do functionalists see society as?
stable system based on value consensus
what is done to achieve social solidarity?
socialisation and social control
what do functionalists say about crime?
inevitable and universal
what does Durkheim see crime as?
normal part of all healthy societies
according to Durkheim what two positive functions?
boundary maintenance and adaption and change
boundary maintenance
crime produces a reaction from society, uniting its member against the wrongdoer and reinforcing value consensus
adaption and change
for change to occur, people with new ideas must challenge existing norms - first appearing as deviance
what will happen to society if there isn’t deviance in change?
unable to make necessary adaptive changes and will stagnate
what further positive functions of deviance
safety value and warning light
safety value - Davis
prostitution acts to release men’s sexual frustrations without threatening the nuclear family
warning light - A.K Cohen
deviance indicates that an institution is malfunction e.g. high truancy rates many indicate problems with education system
criticisms of Durkheim
claims society requires a certain amount of deviance to function but doesnt say how much is right amount and explains crime in function but just bc crime does these in the first place doesnt mean its why it exists in the first place
Merton’s strain theory
people engage in deviant behaviour when they cannot achieve socially approved goals by legit means
what does mertons strain theory combine?
structural - society’s unequal opportunity structure
cultural factors- strong emphasis on success goals and weaker emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve them
according to merton what is deviant behaviour the result of?
strain between goals a culture encourages individuals to aim for and what the structure of society actually allows
