Functionalist viewpoints Flashcards
Merton’s Strain Theory (1938)
crime results from the presence of norms
social order is based on consensus around social goals
in an unequal society , not all individuals have same opportunity of achieving goals - may face strain/anomie as the dominant rules around how to achieve success don’t meet their needs
modes of ‘adaption’
conformity - conforming citizen
innovation- can’t achieve goals so turn to crime
ritualism- give up on goals, stick to means
retreatism- drop outs, give up
rebellion-reject existing social goals, substitute new ones to create a new society
evaluate Merton’s Strain Theory (1938)
- only accounts for utilitarian crime
-ignores the role of group deviance
-assumes there is a value consensus
outline Cohen’s subcultural theory (1971)
working-class youth believe in success goals of mainstream culture but certain experiences mean they have little opportunity to attain them by approved means Matza (1964) - show commitment to mainstream values
denied status in mainstream society leads to status frustration
react to situation by developing alternative distinctive set of values - delinquent subculture
gives working class opportunity to achieve status
identified element of revenge which in which they aim to get back at the society which denied them (explains why a lot of juvenile crime is not driven by money , but rather desire for peer group status)
evaluate Cohen’s subcultural theory
+ explains working class delinquency as a group response
-makes assumption working class delinquents accept mainstream values as superior , Miller (1962) argued it is false to suggest working class delinquents reject mainstream values as they have always had their own independent subculture. Matza (1964)- most delinquents not committed to delinquent values
-Cohen (1960) , doesn’t allow for a diversity of responses
Outline Cloward and Ohlin’s (1960) theory
suggested varied social circumstances working-class youth live in gives rise to 3 types of delinquent subcultures:
- criminal subculture
-develop in more stable working-class areas with established pattern of family crime
-provides learning opportunity for young people, whilst adults exert social control to prevent non-utilitarian acts
2.conflict subcultures
-emerge in socially disorganised areas
-prevents formation of stable adult criminal subculture
-occurs when both approval and illegal ways of achieving mainstream goals are blocked
-express frustration/obtain success through subcultural peer group values
- retreatist subcultures
emerge among lower class youth who are ‘double failures’
failed to succeed in both mainstream society and in the criminal world
response is to retreat into certain behaviours such as alcoholism, drug addiction etc.
Evaluate Cloward and Ohlin’s (1960) subcultural theory
+gives insight into why working-class delinquency may take different forms in different circumstances
-exaggerates differences between three different subcultures (overlap between them e.g utilitarian crime is in all)
Outline Miller’s (1958) subcultural theory
revolves around central characteristics (focal concerns) such as masculinity , toughness, smartness, autonomy , freedom and thrill.
these values carry with them risk of rule breaking
values become exaggerated in young people as they are searching for peer group status , leads them to delinquency
it is over-conformity to lower-working class values as opposed to rejection of dominant values.
Evaluate Miller’s (1958) subcultural theory
- ignores women , ‘goals’ may be masculine goals as opposed to lower class
-assumes working class have set of distinctive values and are not committed to mainstream values - Matza (1964) - many delinquents showed commitments to mainstream values
-contradicts functionalist idea that various parts of society are there to ensure social solidarity and value consensus
Outline Hirschi’s Control Theory (1969)
social order is based on shared values and socialisation from institutions
focusses on reasons people do not commit crime (unlike other theories)
argues all human beings suffer from weaknesses which make them unable to resist temptation and turn to crime , but certain social bonds encourage them to exercise social control (if these bonds are weakened/broken , self control weakens, turn to crime)
4 types of social bonds:
-share moral beliefs
-committed to conventional activities (work/building a family)
-involved and kept busy (social clubs , religious groups)
-attached to family , friends and local community
Evaluate Hirschi’s Control Theory (1969)
+ recognises importance of socialisation in maintaining cohesive society
-doesn’t explain why some have weaker bonds than others
-assumes all those who commit crime have broken binds which tie them to society , Merton and Matza’s theories show criminals are often committed to dominant values
-doesn’t recognise you can be deviant AND tight social bonds (e.g middle class drug users
-suggests everyone has potential for crime , so constant surveillance is necessary - some groups may face unwarranted harassment due to labelling theory
may undermine respect for law and justice , weakening social bonds
