Functionalist, Strain and Subcultural Theories Flashcards
What do Functionalists give as the reason for why people commit crime?
- A loss of norms and values in society, there is no longer social solidarity.
Why was there less crime in pre-industrial England?
Give at least two reasons.
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.
What makes a city more vulnerable to crime?
Give at least two reasons.
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.
How can crime be functional?
Give at least one reason.
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.
In what ways may the working class be denied status and success? Give at least two examples.
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.
What do people suffering from status frustration do?
- Develop their own set of values that tend to be in opposition to the mainstream value consensus.
Why do people suffering from status frustration develop their own set of values that goes against those of mainstream society?
- In order to achieve revenge.
Give at least one example of the deviant methods that people who have been denied status in mainstream society may use to gain status.
At least one from:
- Vandalism
- Fighting
- Substance Abuse
Give at least two reasons why young people may turn to crime.
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.
What other theory can ‘control theory’ be used to support and why?
- Functionalism.
- Assumes that society is based on value consensus and social solidarity.
How does control theory differ from other theories?
- It focusses on why people choose not to commit crime rather than why people choose to commit crime.
What do control theorists believe?
- People are less likely to commit crime if they have strong social bonds to others which encourage them to exercise self control.
