Sociology - C&D - Theories - Functionalism Flashcards
What does Durkheim (1960) say about crime?
It is an integral part of a healthy society and some crime is inevitable and some members of society will always test the boundaries and commit crime
What happens if people do not learn mainstream norms and values?
Society would result in chaos and normlessness and anomie would develop
What do functionalists believe a small amount of crime can prevent?
Can prevent anomie from occurring as long as it is punished
According to functionalists, what could happen if society allows too much crime without punishment?
The breakdown of social order and anomie, threatening society.
When does anomie occur?
- Sudden change in government - Disasters and destruction - Economic upheaval.
Why do functionalists view deviance as a safety valve?
Allows individuals to let off steam to prevent worse crime and deviance occurring in the future
What does Davis (1961) say about deviance as a safety valve?
Prostitution is not damaging to society as it can provide a safe outlet for sexual tensions that men experience, preventing it from affecting family life and destroying the nuclear family.
social solidarity
Cohesion in society whereby all members feel part of the whole. Events in society can promote this.
Collective conscience
All members share ideas about right and wrong, leading to a community policing itself using sanctions for anyone who behaves incorrectly. Can be expressed through a shared sense of horror
Boundary Maintenance and social change
Members of society learn the boundaries of what is and what isn’t acceptable, crime facilitates this use of boundaries as it shows members of society the boundaries of right and wrong.
How did Erikson (1966) find members of a community reacted to deviant people who crossed boundaries?
They will confront them using “Public degradation ceremonies”
What were old examples of public degradation ceremonies?
Publically hanged or punished
What are new examples of public degradation ceremonies?
Public trials, media, Tv, Radio and Twitter
Why are boundaries in society always shifting?
the public might relax their reaction to deviant behaviour or become stricter
What is the function of crime and the reaction to it, according to Erikson (1966)?
Helps society to progress so that a new value consensus can emerge
What does Merton (1938) believe crime results from?
The culture and structure of society, not everyone has the same opportunity to act upon shared values in society, creating crime and deviance.
What does Merton (1938) use as an example?
USA in 1930, and the american dream.
Why does Merton (1938) use America in the 1930s as an example?
Great importance is attached to success but little is attached to the accepted ways of achieving this, so their society is unstable as they strive for success by any available means.
What does Merton (1938) believe the lower classes should do?
adjust their expectations and aim for a comfortable standard of living.
What does Merton (1938) believe individuals feeling frustration in society produces?
Modes of Adaptation
What are the modes of Adaptation?
conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion (RRRIC”
Conformity as mode of adaptation
Population accepts disappointment and position so make the most of what society offers them, continuing to dream about material success. Conform and work hard.
Innovation as a mode of adaptation
Lower classes reject conventional means of wealth so adopt illegal means as they may not have many qualifications. Middle class might bend the rules to make more money.
Ritualism as a mode of adaptation
People lose sight of their goals but carry on doing meaningless jobs and working hard never thinking about what they are trying to achieve and becoming lost in routine. Reject goals held by society and become deviant.
Retreatism as a mode of adaptation
People drop out of society and reject goals, becoming drug addicts, homeless or committing suicide. Belong to the underclass.
Rebellion as mode of adaptation
People may rebel and try to replace shared goals with opposing values.
Why does Merton (1938) think crime happens overall?
It is a reaction to the social organisation of capitalist society. Everyone wants to achieve material success.
What is the disadvantage of Merton work?
Fails to explain why middle and upper classes commit crime, highlighted by Croall
What are the advantages of Morton’s work?
Idea of Anomie has been praised as it links crime to social and economic disadvantages. - Sumner (1994) supports
Why does Sumner (1994) support Merton’s work?
Claims the main causes of crime is capitalism as people feel alienated by the impossible goals capitalism has set.
