Sociological Theories Flashcards
What did Durkheim argue from a functionalist perspective?
That crime and deviance can only be explained by looking at the way societies are socially organised and crime is caused by society rather than the individuals circumstances
What were the 5 functions of crime (Durkheim)
1- boundary maintenance
2- functional rebellion
3- social cohesion
4- early warning system
4- safety value
How did Durkheim argue that traditional societies had little crime and deviance
Because of the strong social controls and saw traditional societies as underpinned by mechanical solidarity.
- powerful agencies such as the family and religion socialised members into a clear consensus about right and wrong
- those who strayed often had severe punishment
- individuality regarded as deviant, loyalty and duty to group was most important
How did Durkheim see modern societies underpinned by?
Organic solidarity
- agencies less influential + members of families exposed to ideas challenging tradition and authority
- no longer clear agreement about ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ behaviour
- formerly deviant acts are socially acceptable
- punishments for crime and deviance grow weaker
leading to an ANOMIE
What is one strength of Derkheims theory?
Concept of anomie has influenced and inspired a range of theories (Robert Merton, 1949 and Albert Cohen, 1955)
What are 3 limitations of Derkheim’s theory
Marxist argued that crime is caused by inequality and conflict, which are natural outcomes of capitalist thinking and practices rather than the weakening of consensus
Durkheim neglects the effects of crimes on victims
Marxist argues that Durkheim neglects the role of the powerful in shaping or fixing the consensus about crime so that their activities are not defined as criminal
Who explained that most crime was committed by poorer sections of society in capitalist societies such as the USA?
Robert Merton (1949, 1968)
What is crime as a consequence of strain?
In the USA, cultural institutions, such as the mass media and education, socialise individuals to: believe in the American Dream, achieve shared goals (financial success, home ownership), achieve these by approved means
Definition of Strain Theory…
He believed the Strain led to the poor experiencing a state of anomie (a form of moral frustration and disenhancement)
Definition of Strain Theory…
He believed the Strain led to the poor experiencing a state of anomie (a form of moral frustration and disenhancement)
How would the poor respond to the anomie… Naming 5 behaviour categories
Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
Which two are not likely to commit a crime
Conformity and Ritualism
Which two have strong beliefs
Conformity and Innovation
What are two strengths of Merton’s Strain Theory
Clearly shows capitalist social structure as the cause of crime, Sumner (2004) and Young (2007) claim that he uncovered the main cause of crime in modern societies
Savelsburg (1995) used strain theory to explain the explosion in crime rates in ex-communist societies like Russia when they embraces the capital practices and cultural goals in the 1990s
What are two limitations of Merton’s Strain theory?
Does not explain why individuals choose the responses that they do
Fails to explain crimes that are not economically motivated
What did Cohen observe?
That delinquency is often malicious in nature and not linked to material or financial goals
What does Cohen’s Subcultural Theory try to explain?
Why juvenile delinquency has a collective or subcultural character - often committed as part of a larger group or gang
How does Cohen say juvenile delinquency is caused by?
A strain between cultural goals and the institutional means of achieving them
What is the main goal for young people?
The desire for status and respect
How do middle class boys attain this?
Through their parents and educational success
How does this affect working class boys?
They are denied from wider society as their parents don’t equip them with the necessary skills meaning they will be placed in bottom sets at school.
What does Cohen suggest that poor access to good education + job opportunities lead to?
Working class juveniles frustrated with their inability to achieve status. Experiencing a form of anomie calling it status frustration.
How did the working class respond to frustration?
Developing delinquent subcultures of like-minded boys who reversed the norms and values of the dominant culture and awarded another status on the basis of anti-school ad delinquent behaviour.
One strength of Cohens theory.
His ideas about status and respect are still relevant to an understanding of contemporary gang culture.
