Sociological Theories

Question 1

What is the functionalism view of crime?

Answer 1

• The legal system reflects the shared norms and values and law works in the interest of member in society
• Crime is normal and a part of healthy society

Question 2

What happens if social norms are broken down?

Answer 2

• Society doesn’t have a proper control method so anomie will happen
• This leads to criminality

Question 3

Why do functionalists say crime is inevitable?

Answer 3

• To collect social norms and values

Question 4

Why was crime functional?

Answer 4

• Crime gives purpose to society and it can become chaos if crime is too low or too high

Question 5

Strengths of functionalist view of crime

Answer 5

• Shows how different institutions operate together to produce social stability
• This shoes the importance of shared culture

Question 6

Limitations of functionalism crime

Answer 6

• Durkheim states that crime has a positive function but it can cause stress which weakens society

Question 7

How does Becker uses labelling?

Answer 7

• To justify criminality labelling is the identification of someone based upon thoughts and beliefs

Question 8

What can labelling cause?

Answer 8

• Self fulfilling prophecy

Question 9

Strengths of labelling theory

Answer 9

• Shows that law can be enforced in discriminatory ways

- Highlights the role of media in defining and creating deviance for producing moral panics

Question 10

Limitations of labelling theory

Answer 10

• Deterministic, assumes once someone has been labelled that crime is inevitable
• Fails to examples why people commit deviance in the first place before being labelled