Functionalist views on crime

Question 1

What is status frustration?

Answer 1

Cohen - working class boys have a lack of opportunities due to cultural deprivation, leading to frustration with their social position. Tension is released by joining groups with alternative values (subcultures) e.g drugs, petty crime.

Question 2

What is strain theory?

Answer 2

Merton - everyone believed that the most important goal in life was wealth (American Dream), but equal access to this goal didn’t exist. A strain was created between the goal and the acceptable means of reaching it (meritocracy). People found out that this didn’t exist so turned to crime to reach the goal.

Question 3

What is the functionalist theory of crime and deviance?

Answer 3

They believe that it is necessary in society because it reinforces consensus values, as people can join together in outrage.

Question 4

What is boundary maintainence?

Answer 4

People can join together in outrage about a crime, which outlines the difference between crime and normal behaviour.

Question 5

What does Durkheim argue about the function of crime?

Answer 5

Says it helps society to remain healthy, so society needs to react negatively to crime. If they react positively it makes crime OK in the future.
However, he says crime becomes dysfunctional when the level of crime is too high/low. If it’s too high it threatens social order, if it’s too low then the consensus of negative reactions is lost.

Question 6

What does Cohen believe are the 2 functions of crime?

Answer 6

1. a safety valve to release tension without threatening social stability e.g prostitution.
2. a warning device to identify emerging social issues e.g truancy.

Question 7

What does Merton argue about the function of crime?

Answer 7

Crime is a response to failing to achieve society’s cultural goals (wealth). When people are unable to achieve their goals due to factors beyond their control it causes a strain, leading to crime.

Question 8

What is differential association theory?

Answer 8

Sutherland - the idea that people learn deviance from others e.g family, friends, gangs.
Crime is passed through association with others.

Question 9

What are the 3 subcultures that lead to deviance?

Answer 9

Cloward and Ohlin -

1. criminal subculture - taught by career criminals to make money
2. conflict subculture - violence, not for money
3. retreatist subculture - turn to drink or drugs

Question 10

What are the criticisms of the functionalist theory of crime?

Answer 10

Assumes everyone has the same mainstream goal e.g hippies.

Assumes there is no overlap between the 3 subcultures.

Question 11

What are Merton’s 5 adaptations to strain?

Answer 11

1. retreating
2. innovating
3. rebelling
4. ritual
5. conforming