Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Sociology- Crime & Deviance > Functionalist &Sub-culturalist Theories Of Crime & Deviance > Flashcards

Functionalist &Sub-culturalist Theories Of Crime & Deviance Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Sociology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Which functionalist sociologist said crime was inevitable and beneficial?

A

Durkheim

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why did Durkheim think crime was inevitable?

A
  1. Not everyone is socialised adequately into norms and values.
  2. In complex societies there are subcultures with different norms and values.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are Durkheim’s 2 functions of crime?

A
  1. Boundary maintenance
  2. Adaptation and change
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is boundary maintenance?

A

When society unites in disapproval of the criminal act and reinforces commitment to shared norms and values. Increases social solidarity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is adaptation & change?

A

When acts of deviance or crime forces society to adapt to new ways of thinking or new norms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which sociologist said crime acted as a safety valve?

A

Davis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the safety valve function?

A

Smaller acts of deviance are useful as they release frustration which prevents larger crimes from occurring.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Which sociologists said crime acted as a warning device?

A

Cohen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

A criticism of the idea that crime is functional is…

A

Ignores the victims who don’t experience social solidarity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is utilitarian crime?

A

Crime for financial gain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is non-utilitarian crime?

A

Crime that has no financial gain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is relative deprivation

A

The idea that people feel they are lacking something compared with others in society.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Which sociologist came up with the strain theory?

A

Merton

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Merton was a functionalist sociologist from which country?

A

USA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What did Merton mean by the American Dream?

A

The idea that anyone can rise to the top of the social ladder if they work hard enough

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Which goals did Merton believed everyone in the USA shared?

A

Material wealth
High status

17
Q

According to Merton, why did some people find it hard to reach society’s success goals?

A

Born into poverty
Discrimination

18
Q

Who are innovators?

A

People who share society’s success goals, but cannot reach them legitimately so instead turn to utilitarian crime.

19
Q

Can you name the other 4 of Merton’s adaptations to strain?

A

Conformists
Retreatists
Rebels
Ritualises

20
Q

Name one important criticism of Merton

A

Doesn’t explain non-utilitarian crime

21
Q

What is a subculture

A

A group of people who share norms, values and beliefs that are different from the majority culture.

22
Q

Which sociologists said that working class boys join deviant subcultures?

A

Cohen

23
Q

What is status frustration?

A

Anger and resentment at low status.

24
Q

Why does Cohen say that working class boys join deviant subcultures?

A

Because they experience status frustration, and the other people in the subculture give them an alternative source of status & provides an opportunity to take revenge on society.

25
Q

What two things can Cohen explain that Merton can’t

A

Non-utilitarian crime
Crimes committed by groups

26
Q

What is value inversion?

A

Reversing society’s values

27
Q

Identify one criticism of Cohen’s theory.

A

Ignores gender

28
Q

Which sociologists state that there are three types of deviant subcultures?

A

Coward & Ohlin

29
Q

What are the 3 deviant subcultures

A
  1. Criminal subcultures
  2. Conflict subcultures
  3. Retreatist subcultures
30
Q

Cloward and Ohlin say that people join these deviant subcultures depending on…

A

The access / opportunities have to join them e.g. not everyone can be part of a criminal subculture.

31
Q

The Italian American mafia is an examples of….

A

Criminal subculture

32
Q

A street gang is an example of…

A

Conflict subculture

33
Q

A group of drug addicts is an example of…

A

Retreatist subculture

34
Q

One criticism of Cloward & Ohlin is

A

In reality, the subcultures often overlap

35
Q

What is Miller’s theory called?

A

Focal concerns

36
Q

What are focal concerns?

A

The values that working class boys are brought up to follow which make them more likely to commit crime.

37
Q

Some examples of these values / focal concerns are…

A

Toughness, excitement, fate

38
Q

One criticism of Millers theory is

A

Ignores middle class crime

39
Q

One criticism of Millers theory is

A

Ignores middle class crime

Sociology- Crime & Deviance (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions