Sociological Theories

Question 1

What did Durkheim argue from a functionalist perspective?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What were the 5 functions of crime (Durkheim)

Answer 2

1- boundary maintenance
2- functional rebellion
3- social cohesion
4- early warning system
4- safety value

Question 3

How did Durkheim argue that traditional societies had little crime and deviance

Answer 3

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

Question 4

How did Durkheim see modern societies underpinned by?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What is one strength of Derkheims theory?

Answer 5

Concept of anomie has influenced and inspired a range of theories (Robert Merton, 1949 and Albert Cohen, 1955)

Question 6

What are 3 limitations of Derkheim’s theory

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Who explained that most crime was committed by poorer sections of society in capitalist societies such as the USA?

Answer 7

Robert Merton (1949, 1968)

Question 8

What is crime as a consequence of strain?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Definition of Strain Theory…

Answer 9

He believed the Strain led to the poor experiencing a state of anomie (a form of moral frustration and disenhancement)

Question 10

Definition of Strain Theory…

Answer 10

He believed the Strain led to the poor experiencing a state of anomie (a form of moral frustration and disenhancement)

Question 11

How would the poor respond to the anomie… Naming 5 behaviour categories

Answer 11

Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 12

Which two are not likely to commit a crime

Answer 12

Conformity and Ritualism

Question 13

Which two have strong beliefs

Answer 13

Conformity and Innovation

Question 14

What are two strengths of Merton’s Strain Theory

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are two limitations of Merton’s Strain theory?

Answer 15

Does not explain why individuals choose the responses that they do
Fails to explain crimes that are not economically motivated

Question 16

What did Cohen observe?

Answer 16

That delinquency is often malicious in nature and not linked to material or financial goals

Question 17

What does Cohen’s Subcultural Theory try to explain?

Answer 17

Why juvenile delinquency has a collective or subcultural character - often committed as part of a larger group or gang

Question 18

How does Cohen say juvenile delinquency is caused by?

Answer 18

A strain between cultural goals and the institutional means of achieving them

Question 19

What is the main goal for young people?

Answer 19

The desire for status and respect

Question 20

How do middle class boys attain this?

Answer 20

Through their parents and educational success

Question 21

How does this affect working class boys?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What does Cohen suggest that poor access to good education + job opportunities lead to?

Answer 22

Working class juveniles frustrated with their inability to achieve status. Experiencing a form of anomie calling it status frustration.

Question 23

How did the working class respond to frustration?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

One strength of Cohens theory.

Answer 24

His ideas about status and respect are still relevant to an understanding of contemporary gang culture.

Question 25

One limitation of Cohen’s theory (Paul Willis 1997 conclusion)

Answer 25

Willis concluded that working class youths do not share the same definition of status as middle class boys. The working class boys saw educational failure as success because qualifications where not necessary.

Question 26

One limitation of Cohen’s theory (feminist)

Answer 26

Feminists observed Cohen ignores female delinquency

Question 27

One limitation of Cohen’s theory (Walter Miller 1962)

Answer 27

Argues working class juvenile delinquency is not the result of strain, instead working class youth are acting out and exaggerating the mainstream values of working class culture

Question 28

What have other subcultural theories developed?

Answer 28

Developed Merton’s ideas about strain to explain the existence of criminal and deviant subcultures

Question 29

Who examined the ecological organisation of cities?

Answer 29

Shaw and McKay (1942)

Question 30

What was one of their observations on inner city zones.

Answer 30

The zones are characterised by a lack of community spirit and social control and therefore by delinquent subcultures and high crime rates

Question 31

One of their observations on delinquent subcultures.

Answer 31

Engage in cultural transmission they transmit criminal behaviour, skills and values from one generation to the next

Question 32

Another observation on movement of people

Answer 32

The constant movement of people in ad out of inner-city areas prevents the formation of stable communities and undermines existing controls