Functionalist, Strain and Subcultural Theories Flashcards

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1
Q

What do Functionalists give as the reason for why people commit crime?

A
  • A loss of norms and values in society, there is no longer social solidarity.
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2
Q

Why was there less crime in pre-industrial England?

Give at least two reasons.

A

At least two from:

  • Family was a powerful agency of socialisation – people worked together.
  • Religion was a source of social control – people didn’t want to be labelled as a criminal so did not commit crime.
  • Punishment was more severe.
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3
Q

What makes a city more vulnerable to crime?

Give at least two reasons.

A

At least two from:

  • People in the poorer areas of the city may feel jealous of people in the richer areas.
  • Cities tend to be multicultural. This could cause crime due to the differences between cultures which means that social solidarity is no longer.
  • There are more opportunities for different types of crime to happen.
  • The complexity of modern life undermines the authority of religion and the family.
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4
Q

How can crime be functional?

Give at least one reason.

A

At least one from:

  • It can provoke positive social change by highlighting aspects of the social structure or law which are inadequate.
  • Some crimes cause public outrage which reinforces social solidarity against the offenders.
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5
Q
In what ways may the working class be denied status and success? 
Give at least two examples.
A

At least two from:

  • Inability to afford good education may cause educational achievement and compromised job prospects.
  • Material deprivation - may limit their ability to go to university and get a good job.
  • If they do not have a good job which allows them to have essential things in life then they may turn to crime as an illegitimate way of gaining status and success.
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6
Q

What do people suffering from status frustration do?

A
  • Develop their own set of values that tend to be in opposition to the mainstream value consensus.
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7
Q

Why do people suffering from status frustration develop their own set of values that goes against those of mainstream society?

A
  • In order to achieve revenge.
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8
Q

Give at least one example of the deviant methods that people who have been denied status in mainstream society may use to gain status.

A

At least one from:

  • Vandalism
  • Fighting
  • Substance Abuse
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9
Q

Give at least two reasons why young people may turn to crime.

A

At least two from:

  • They may want to achieve success through crime to make up for a lack of success at school.
  • To seek status and power.
  • To achieve a thrill that they are not able to achieve elsewhere.
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10
Q

What other theory can ‘control theory’ be used to support and why?

A
  • Functionalism.

- Assumes that society is based on value consensus and social solidarity.

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11
Q

How does control theory differ from other theories?

A
  • It focusses on why people choose not to commit crime rather than why people choose to commit crime.
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12
Q

What do control theorists believe?

A
  • People are less likely to commit crime if they have strong social bonds to others which encourage them to exercise self control.
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