***Functionalist, Strain, Subcultural Theories

Question 1

Durkheim - Inevitability of crime

functions of crime

Answer 1

‘Crime is normal, an essential part of all healthy societies’

1. Boundary maintenance
2. Adaption (e.g Gay now legal)

Question 2

2 reasons why crime in created - DURKHEIM

Answer 2

Durkheim -

1. Because of inequality (different norms and values)
2. Modern society = complex and lots of diff people = weakens shared culture

Question 3

Safety valve - who says it?

Answer 3

Davis

Question 4

Warning device - who says it?

Answer 4

Cohen

Question 5

Criticism of Durkheim, Davis and Cohen…

Answer 5

• Crime is for the function for who? victims?
• Crime doesn’t always remote solidarity - leads o people being isolated (women stay inside so that they don’t get attacked).

Question 6

Merton

Answer 6

STRAIN THEORY:
American dream -
‘American dream tells American society is meritocratic. HOWEVER, ignores disadvantaged groups, they are denied opportunities.
- People strain and turn to crime to gain the social goals.

5 types of people -

1. Conformity: conform to the strain, mostly m/c
2. Innovation: turn to crime to achieve
3. Ritualism: Create their own lower goals - mostly lower w/c
4. Retreatism: Reject goals and retreat from society - outcasts
5. Rebellion: Reject society’s goals and means, create new ones, create new societies. (E.g hippies)

Question 7

Criticism for Mertons strain theory

Answer 7

• Sees crime and deviance as W/C phenomenon
• Power of R/C enforce law
• Ignores other goals, just thinks money is the main goal.