functionalist, strain and subcultural theories

Question 1

what does durkheim think about crime

Answer 1

crime is inevitable due to poor socialisation and inequality however believes crime is positive - boundary maintenance + adaptation and change

Question 2

what is boundary maintenance

Answer 2

when crime produces a reaction from society - this is the function of punishment which reinforces solidarity

Question 3

what is adaptation and change

Answer 3

all change starts as deviance - new ideas must challenge norms, this is a safety valve

Question 4

what is a safety valve example

Answer 4

prostitution - men can release sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family

Question 5

criticisms of durkheim’s argument

Answer 5

society needs a certain amount of deviant behaviour to function but there is no way of showing how much is the right amount

Question 6

what does merton think about crime

Answer 6

believes people engage in deviant behaviour when they can’t achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means

Question 7

what does the american dream mean

Answer 7

“money success” - meritocratic idea

Question 8

what are mertons 5 responses to the american dream

Answer 8

1. conformity - accept the culturally approved goals to achieve them
2. innovation - accept money success goal but use illegitimate ways to achieve it
3. ritualism - give up on the goal but follow the rules
4. retreatism - reject both goal and legitimate ways to achieve it
5. rebellion - replace existing goals with new ones to bring change

Question 9

what does cohen say about WC boys and subcultures

Answer 9

underachieving WC boys form subcultures to achieve status and therefore face anomie in the MC education system (status frustruation)

Question 10

what is alternative status hierarchy

Answer 10

this is where you can gain status from delinquent actions

Question 11

what are the 3 subcultures created by cloward and ohlin

Answer 11

1. criminal subcultures - provide youths with an apprenticeship in utilitarian crime, where adult criminals can select and train youths with the right abilities
2. conflict subcultures - a rise of areas with high population which prevents a stable criminal network from running
3. retreatists subcultures - ‘double failures’ which can’t do well in either of the other 2 so tend to turn to illegal drug use