Functionalist, Strain And Subcultural Theory Flashcards
What are the two ways in which functionalists believe social solidarity is created and how does it do this?
-Socialisation; Instills a shared culture so we all internalise same norms and values
Social control; mechanisms such as rewards for conformity and punishments for deviance ensure we behave as expected
Why do functionalists believe crime is inevitable
Every society has some level of crime and deviance as….
-not everyone is socialised into the same Norms and values so deviance will occur in some form
-There is a great diversity in lifestyles and values in modern societies leading to the formations of subcultures who exhibit behaviour seen as deviant in mainstream society
What are the two positive functions of crime according to Durkheim
Boundary maintainance, Adaptation and Change
What is boundary maintenance and how is it a positive function for society?
Members of society unify to condemn a criminal for their act, creating social solidarity thus reinforcing shared rules within individuals
For example, court cases dramatising the convict creates folk devils so others are less likely to commit the same acts
How is adaption and change a positive function for society according to Durkheim
Deviance inspires change in society which gives light to new cultures and morality e.g religious visionaries were first seen as deviant but their message was later taken incorporated into society.
-Without these individuals society would be stagnant and not about to adapt
Why does Durkheim believe too high or too little crime is undersireable?
Too high- threatens to tear the bonds of society
Too low- society is stifling its members too much, inhibiting individual freedom and preventing change
According to Davis, what is the function of crime?
-acts as a safety valve; men can release sexual frustration without threatening the monogamous nuclear family using prostitutes
According to Polska, what is the function of crime?
Deviant acts such as pornography prevent adultery that would threaten the family
According to Cohen, what is the function of crime?
Acts as a warning device, shows that an institution in society is malfunctioning e.g high truancy rates suggest problems with education system
Critsicms of functionalist view of crime?
-Ignires how crime may affect different groups or individuals within society e.g sec work may benefit frustrated man but not sex worker
-crime does not always promote social solidarity, in some cases it can do the opposite and leave individuals isolated and in fear
How does deviance occur according to Morton’s strain theory?
Strain between the cultural goals an individual wants to achieve and what the institutional structures in society allow them to achieve legitimately
How can the American dream lead to Strain according to Merton
American culture values money success which is gained via meritocratic, legitimate means e.g qualifications and hard work
However, many individual are disadvantaged and denied opportunities to achieve legitimately due to poverty, inaccurate schools, discrimination etc.
They will then commit crime to get their cultural goals, as American culture emphasises succeeding by any means
What are the deviant adaptations to strain
Conformity- accept cultural goals and try to achieve them legitimately (mostly M/c)
Innovation- accept the goal of money success but create their own illegitimate ways to achieve it
Ritualism- give up on trying to achieve the goals but still obey the laws and legitimate means
Retreatism- Reject both goals and legitimate means and so become drop outs e.g drug addicts
Rebellion- Reject cultural goals and replace them with new ones surrounded by bringing about revolutionary change
Evaluation of Merton
-Uses official statistics that over-represents working class crime, ignoring crimes of ruling class
-Deterministic; w/c experience the most strain but not all of them deviate
-Assumes there is value consensus and that everyone strives for ‘money success’, ignores others mayh have different goals
How does Cohen criticise Mertons strain theory?
Merton sees deviance as an indivdual response but ignores that it occurs mostly in groups, particularly by the young
-Merton ignores non-utilitarian crime e.g vandalism
