Functionalists Flashcards
What does the normative approach in functionalism define crime and deviance as?
Action which consists of a violation of social norms
This approach emphasizes the importance of shared norms and values in society.
Who is considered a deviant according to functionalism?
The person who breaks shared norms and values
Deviance is defined in relation to societal standards.
What fundamental idea underpins the functionalist philosophy?
Society is underpinned by consensus
Consensus refers to the general agreement among members of society.
What does Durkheim claim society shares that forms the basis of norms?
A set of ‘core values’ (the collective conscience)
The collective conscience represents the shared beliefs and moral attitudes of a society.
According to functionalism, how does the deviation from core values relate to deviance?
The more behaviour deviates from core values, the more likely it is seen as ‘deviant’
This highlights the relationship between societal norms and perceptions of deviance.
What are the three components of Durkheim’s FIN regarding crime?
- Functional
- Inevitable
- Normal
These components explain the role and presence of crime in society.
How is crime functional for society?
It makes boundaries of acceptable behaviours known by the arrest of transgressors
This process reinforces societal norms and values.
What effect does crime have on social bonds?
Strengthens social bonds and reaffirms values
When crimes occur, communities often unite to address the issues and reinforce norms.
How can public opinion on crime influence legislation?
It can cause change in the law (e.g., Sarah’s Law in the UK)
Sarah’s Law allows for disclosure of information about individuals posing potential risks to children.
Why is crime considered inevitable in society?
It is impossible for everyone to be equally committed to societal norms
Variations in individual commitment lead to some people breaking norms.
What characterizes abnormal levels of crime according to Durkheim?
They occur in times of social upheaval
Social upheaval weakens the collective conscience, leading to anomie.
What is anomie?
A state where people look after their own interests rather than respecting their neighbors
Anomie can lead to increased crime and deviance.
Fill in the blank: Individualism can be seen as a source of _______.
crime and/or deviance
This suggests that prioritizing individual interests over collective norms can lead to deviant behaviour.
True or False: There is no society where there is no crime.
True
Crime is a universal aspect of social existence.
How is crime normal?
