Functionalists

Question 1

Functionalist explanations of crime

Answer 1

• those who reject value consensus tend to commit crime
• structural issue

Question 2

Durkheim

Answer 2

• crime is inevitable
• but is not all bad, and pushes the boundaries of society showing what needs to be improved

Question 3

Positive effects of crime

Answer 3

• strengthens collective values (people can all agree on things as “wrong” eg murder)
• enables social change as these boundaries are pushed
• acts as a safety valve (people can protest and “vent” without revolutions and violence) —-> Davis: controversially argued things like prostitution can also act as a safety valve; things that allow letting off of steam not directed as violence
• acts as a warning

Question 4

Hirschi: Control theory

Answer 4

• pessimistic theory stating humans have a weakness making them unable to resist temptation
  ——> “social bonds” help prevent this
• attachment (feeling connected)
• belief (sharing moral beliefs and respect)
• commitment (having priorities that can take mind from temptations)
• involvement (more emotional response to expectations placed on individual by community like family, job etc)