Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

crime and deviance > functionalist theory of crime > Flashcards

functionalist theory of crime Flashcards

1
Q

according to durkheim what are the four characteristics of crime?

A

-inevitability
-universal
-relative
-functional

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

how is crime seen as inevitable?

durkheim

A

it will always exist, it can never be eliminated only reduced

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

how is crime seeen as universal?

A

crime happens everywhere universally.

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

how is crime seen as relative?

A

what is seen as criminal behaviour varies between society and time

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

how is crime seen as functional?

A

limited amount can strengthen bonds within society

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

why does crime exist according to durkheim?

list two

A

-not everyone is properly socialised
-what one may see as normal mainstream society may see as deviant- diversity in norms and values

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

according to durkheim what are the functions of crime?

list 5

A
  1. boundary maintenance
  2. adaptation and change
  3. safety valve
  4. warning device
  5. social cohesion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is boundary and maintenance?

durkheim

A

crime clarifies the boundary of what is okay. publicity of court cases reaffirms what is not okay

limited crime is necessary

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

what is adaptation and change?

A

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

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

why is crime a safety valve?

A

Prostitution acts as a safety valve to release men’s sexual fustration without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.

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

how does crime act as a warning device?

with example

A

Warns that an institution is not functioning properly

eg. high levels of truancy shows flaw in education systenm

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

what is social cohesion?

A

when a horrific crime has been commmited society bonds together giving sense of belonging

eg, sarah everard, 7/7

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

How does society regulate deviance according to Durkheim?

A

Societies regulate deviance through carnivals, festivals,etc. the young are given a lee way to cope with transition to adulthood

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

What is the evaluation of Durkheim’s theory on crime?

A

doesnt say how muh crime is needed.
crime doesnt always promote solidarity eg women becoming isolated
ignores how it may affet individuals in society

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

Why does crime exist according to Merton?

A

pressure to achieve the American Dream. Not all have the legitimate means to achieve it - results in strain

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

According to Merton what is the strain theory?

A

there is a strain between achieving ones goals and the legitimate meansof achieving it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the ways that people react to the pressure to achieve the American Dream? (Merton)

list 5 ways

A

1.conformity
2.innovation
3.retreatism
4.ritualism
5.rebellion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is conformity?

merton

A

achieving dreams with legitimate means

19
Q

what is innovation?

merton

A

Illegal means to achieve the American Dream, breaking the law

20
Q

what is ritualism?

A

Deviant, but not crimnal, giving up on trying to achieve the American Dream.

21
Q

what is retreatism?

A

give up on dream and turn to drugs and alcohol

22
Q

what is rebellion?

A

a criminal response- making new set of values eg terrorism

23
Q

evaluate mertons strain theory

3 ways

A
  1. too deterministic
  2. fails to explain group criminality
  3. ignores m/c crime
24
Q

according to cohen who is most likely going to be a criminal?

A

w/c boys

25
Q

why are w/c boys most likely to be criminals?

A

They know they can’t achieve success through education as w/c vlaues are different to values promoted in schools.

26
Q

according to cohen what do w/c boys suffer from?

to do with statut

A

status fustration

27
Q

what do w/c turn to when experiencing status fustration?

A

To achieve success and status they form subcultures leads to crime and vandalism

28
Q

What do subculture offer w/c boys?

cohen

A

offer illegitimate opportunity structures - through which they can achieve the alternative status hierarchy.

29
Q

evaulate cohens theory on deviance

list 3

A

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.

30
Q

What is Cloward and Ohlin’s theory on crime?

A

Diff subcultures offer diff illegitimate opportunity structures to achieve American Dream. access to illegitimate opportunity structures depend on where they live

31
Q

What is the criminal subculture?

cloward and ohlin

A

develop in stable w/c areas, with developed criminal culture where status is gained through crime committed for financial gain.

32
Q

What is the conflict subculture? (Cloward and Ohlin)

A

Develop in high poulation turnover areas, no established criminal subculture.

33
Q

why do conflict subcultures form?

A

due fustration eg loosley organised crime

34
Q

What is retreatist behaviour?

cloward and ohlin

A

someone who retreats from mainstream society and their values

35
Q

what is a double failure?

A

failed to succeed in both mainstream society and in the crime and gang cultures above.

36
Q

What is the evalutation of Cloward and Ohlin’s theory on crime?

A

ignores m/c crime

37
Q

according to miller why does the w/c commit crime?

A

crime is passed on from generations and hold different values from the rest of society.

38
Q

what does miller call values?

A

focal concerns

39
Q

what are the focal concerns?

miller

A

autonomy, toughness, excitement and fatalism

40
Q

according to miller what is the problem with w/c focal concerns?

A

the nature of the values lead to crime as they different

41
Q

What does Matza argue about members of subcultures?

A

are not fully committed to the values of their subcultures.

42
Q

What are the 2 tyes of values according to Matza?

A
  1. mainstream values (held by all)
  2. subterrean values (deviant shared by all)

eg emmerge occasionally after a night drinking

43
Q

What does Matza argue about most delinquents?

A

they drift in and out of delinquency

44
Q

What are techniques of neutralisation?

matza- list 5

A

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

crime and deviance (2 decks)

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