functionalist theory of crime Flashcards
according to durkheim what are the four characteristics of crime?
-inevitability
-universal
-relative
-functional
how is crime seen as inevitable?
durkheim
it will always exist, it can never be eliminated only reduced
how is crime seeen as universal?
crime happens everywhere universally.
how is crime seen as relative?
what is seen as criminal behaviour varies between society and time
how is crime seen as functional?
limited amount can strengthen bonds within society
why does crime exist according to durkheim?
list two
-not everyone is properly socialised
-what one may see as normal mainstream society may see as deviant- diversity in norms and values
according to durkheim what are the functions of crime?
list 5
- boundary maintenance
- adaptation and change
- safety valve
- warning device
- social cohesion
what is boundary and maintenance?
durkheim
crime clarifies the boundary of what is okay. publicity of court cases reaffirms what is not okay
limited crime is necessary
what is adaptation and change?
all change happens with a deviant act. they must be willing to challenge the social norms, allows society to adapt
eg. women wearing trousers in the 1850’s
why is crime a safety valve?
Prostitution acts as a safety valve to release men’s sexual fustration without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.
how does crime act as a warning device?
with example
Warns that an institution is not functioning properly
eg. high levels of truancy shows flaw in education systenm
what is social cohesion?
when a horrific crime has been commmited society bonds together giving sense of belonging
eg, sarah everard, 7/7
How does society regulate deviance according to Durkheim?
Societies regulate deviance through carnivals, festivals,etc. the young are given a lee way to cope with transition to adulthood
What is the evaluation of Durkheim’s theory on crime?
doesnt say how muh crime is needed.
crime doesnt always promote solidarity eg women becoming isolated
ignores how it may affet individuals in society
Why does crime exist according to Merton?
pressure to achieve the American Dream. Not all have the legitimate means to achieve it - results in strain
According to Merton what is the strain theory?
there is a strain between achieving ones goals and the legitimate meansof achieving it
What are the ways that people react to the pressure to achieve the American Dream? (Merton)
list 5 ways
1.conformity
2.innovation
3.retreatism
4.ritualism
5.rebellion
what is conformity?
merton
achieving dreams with legitimate means
what is innovation?
merton
Illegal means to achieve the American Dream, breaking the law
what is ritualism?
Deviant, but not crimnal, giving up on trying to achieve the American Dream.
what is retreatism?
give up on dream and turn to drugs and alcohol
what is rebellion?
a criminal response- making new set of values eg terrorism
evaluate mertons strain theory
3 ways
- too deterministic
- fails to explain group criminality
- ignores m/c crime
according to cohen who is most likely going to be a criminal?
w/c boys
why are w/c boys most likely to be criminals?
They know they can’t achieve success through education as w/c vlaues are different to values promoted in schools.
according to cohen what do w/c boys suffer from?
to do with statut
status fustration
what do w/c turn to when experiencing status fustration?
To achieve success and status they form subcultures leads to crime and vandalism
What do subculture offer w/c boys?
cohen
offer illegitimate opportunity structures - through which they can achieve the alternative status hierarchy.
evaulate cohens theory on deviance
list 3
1.Ignores girl gangs, m/c crime, white collar crime.
2.Assumes all subcultures are the same.
3.assumes everyone has shared values, w/c may have never wanted to succeed.
What is Cloward and Ohlin’s theory on crime?
Diff subcultures offer diff illegitimate opportunity structures to achieve American Dream. access to illegitimate opportunity structures depend on where they live
What is the criminal subculture?
cloward and ohlin
develop in stable w/c areas, with developed criminal culture where status is gained through crime committed for financial gain.
What is the conflict subculture? (Cloward and Ohlin)
Develop in high poulation turnover areas, no established criminal subculture.
why do conflict subcultures form?
due fustration eg loosley organised crime
What is retreatist behaviour?
cloward and ohlin
someone who retreats from mainstream society and their values
what is a double failure?
failed to succeed in both mainstream society and in the crime and gang cultures above.
What is the evalutation of Cloward and Ohlin’s theory on crime?
ignores m/c crime
according to miller why does the w/c commit crime?
crime is passed on from generations and hold different values from the rest of society.
what does miller call values?
focal concerns
what are the focal concerns?
miller
autonomy, toughness, excitement and fatalism
according to miller what is the problem with w/c focal concerns?
the nature of the values lead to crime as they different
What does Matza argue about members of subcultures?
are not fully committed to the values of their subcultures.
What are the 2 tyes of values according to Matza?
- mainstream values (held by all)
- subterrean values (deviant shared by all)
eg emmerge occasionally after a night drinking
What does Matza argue about most delinquents?
they drift in and out of delinquency
What are techniques of neutralisation?
matza- list 5
1.Denial of responsibility - ‘it wasn’t me, it was the drugs.’
2.Denial of victim - ‘asking for it’
3.Denial of injury - vitcim not really hurt
4.Condemnation of condemners - offers sense of unfariness for being picked on.
5.Appeal to higher loyalty - claim rule of law had to be ignored
