Functionalist, strain and subculture theories

Question 1

Durkheim - postiive functions of crime

Answer 1

1. Boundary maintenance- members condemned the wrong doers, reinforcing their commitment to shared norms and values
2. Adaption and change- All change starts with an act of deviance, its how norms and values change

Question 2

Davis - prostitution

Answer 2

Prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of mens sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.

Question 3

Cohen-

Answer 3

deviance shows an institution isn’t working-

high truancy shows school failing

Question 4

Merton - strain theory

Answer 4

People engage in deviant behaviour when they can’t achieve society’s goals by legitimate means. - American dream
-w/c more likely to commit crime then

Question 5

Merton - society adaptions

Answer 5

1. conformity- accept goals and means
2. innovation- accept goals but not means
3. ritualism- reject goals accept means
4. retreatism- accept neither
5. rebellion- create new means and new goals

Question 6

Cohen- status frustration

Answer 6

w/c labelled and can’t achieve m/c goals or means, cause status frustration. w/c join with other w/c turn society’s goals and values upside down. Offers a alternative status hierarchy - they can gain status by rebelling- being rude to a teacher etc.

Question 7

Cloward ond Ohlin- three subcultures

Answer 7

1. Criminal- apprenticeship in utilitarian crime, occurs in neighbourhoods with hierarchy of criminals, they can get criminal job.
2. Conflict- areas of high population, not professional crime, loosely organised gangs, lots of violence- win turf for status.
3. Retreatist- any neighbourhood, those who failed at crime, become druggies.