Functionalist theories of crime

Question 1

What 3 positive functions does poverty have according to Durkheim

Answer 1

• Reinforcing boundaries of acceptable behaviour
• Allowing for values to change over time
• Strengthening social cohesion

Question 2

What is anomie and which theorist came up with the term

Answer 2

a society with not enough social control leading to a lack of collective conscious and a NORMLESS society. Durkheim theorised this.

Question 3

What did Cohen believe deviance was a warning for?

Answer 3

that an institution in society wasn’t working correctly e.g. school

Question 4

What is Strain theory?

Answer 4

Merton - deviance occurs due to a strain between two factors, the structural factor of society being unequal, and the cultural factors, the strong emphasis of success as a goal and weaker emphasis on gaining it through legitimate means.

Question 5

What ways does Merton believe people respond to anomie

Answer 5

Conformity 
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 6

Who came up with control theory?

What is it?

Answer 6

Hirschi

“why do people not commit crime?” the following strong social bonds prevent us from doing crime: attachment, commitment, involvement, belief