The Functionalist Perspective Flashcards
What kind of approach does functionalism approve of?
What does this mean?
Macro approach
Society is viewed as a big system.
Functionalism is a structural theory.
What does this mean?
Fixed institutions in society have an intended purpose and structure.
Functionalism believes socialisation is key.
What is socialisation?
Teaching children society’s norms/values that allows them to suitably enter and adhere to society.
What do functionalists believe you should do to children?
Socialise them
What do functionalists believe society is formed around?
A value consensus
Functionalism is a consensus theory.
What does this mean?
Society functions collectively in a way that enables people to get along.
Functionalists believe in social control.
What is this?
When society controls its members through shame, pride, responsibility etc.
Functionalists believe in a collective conscience/culture.
What does this mean?
Agreed beliefs, understandings and feelings as a group in society.
What does Durkheim believe about crime?
It is a normal, healthy aspect of all societies.
According to Durkheim, crime is __________.
Inevitable
According to Durkheim, can’t crime be stopped because:
____ everyone follows the same ____/______ as they’re ________ to different _________ and _________.
_______ of ________ and ______ in society means different _________ have their own _____/______ and what is considered ‘_______’ varies.
a) not, norms/values, exposed, influences, circumstances
b) diversity, lifestyles, values, subcultures, norms/values, ‘deviant’
Durkheim believes crime and deviance can perform _______ functions within _______.
a) positive
b) society
What do Functionalists believe about society’s relationship with crime?
Society promotes crime.
Functionalists believe society promotes crime.
What does Erikson (1966) say about it?
(3)
Society promotes crimes to promote positive functions and keep a healthy balance.
Agents of social control (ie police) maintain a level of crime rather than remove it entirely.
Some societies maintain it through protests etc.
What kind of deviance do Functionalists align with?
Normative
NORMATIVE DEVIANCE: something deviant and considered socially _________.
Anything that clearly ________ social _____ as we know what’s __________.
We get that info from the ________ _________ _______.
Relates to Durkheim’s ‘__________ ________’.
Sociologists should look for _________ amongst criminals that cause them to ______, which ‘_______’ people don’t.
a) unacceptable
c) violates
d) norms
e) acceptable
g) British Attitude Survey.
h) ‘collective conscience’
i) differences
j) offend
k) ‘normal’
What is the type of deviance that directly opposes Functionalism’s view on normative deviance?
Relative deviance
Relative deviance opposes normative deviance. It claims:
Society contains ________ ideas that _______ each other.
The ________ of society prevents a ______ set of ________ values (________ __________).
__________ values are the result of _____ conflicts.
a) different
b) conflict
c) complexity
d) simple
e) universal
f) social construction.
g) prevailing
h) cost
In what societies is relative deviance evident in?
Modern, multicultural, globalised societies.
Which 2 types of theorists oppose normative deviance/functionalists?
Explain why.
Interactionist - complex social interactions result in some values emerging as important.
Conflict - values of society are dominated and directed by ruling classes (Marxist).
Functionalists are POSITIVISTS.
What do RELATIVISTS study?
The process of individuals.
According to Durkheim, why is crime essential for performing positive functions within society?
People have to do something wrong in order to establish a consensus and decide what’s right.
Why does DURKHEIM argue society promotes crime?
Too little crime is a warning as it means society is repressing & controlling its members too much, stifling individual freedom.
How is boundary maintenance a positive function of crime, according to DURKHEIM?
(3)
Crime unites society around issues (social cohesion).
Lets us set boundaries for what we do & don’t accept.
Punishment functions to show what’s right & wrong, maintaining boundaries.
DURKHEIM - what is an example of adaptation and chance (positive function of crime)?
Same sex relationships were once illegal, it was then declassified as a mental health disorder in 1983.
What are the two positive functions of crime in society, according to DURKHEIM?
Boundary maintenance
Adaptation and chance
How is adaptation & change a positive function of crime, according to DURKHEIM?
(3)
All change has to start with deviance.
There must be some sort of scope for people to change society’s values.
It’s the only way we can evolve as a society.
Who argues the two positive functions of crime are boundary maintenance and adaptation & change?
Durkheim
What does Davis (1937) argue the positive function of crime is?
Give an example.
It’s a safety belt to release societal stresses.
Prostitution lets men release sexual frustrations without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.
What does Cohen argue the positive function of crime is?
Give an example.
It’s a ‘warning device’ for society to show something isn’t working correctly & change must happen.
High levels of truancy indicate problems in the education system.
Who argues deviance acts as a safety belt?
Davis (1937)
Who argues crime and deviance acts as a warning device for society?
Cohen
What is the principle of Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory? (2)
Role allocation & not meeting expectations leads to strain.
Societal pressure means strain leads to status frustration.
Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what is status frustration?
People become annoyed because their role/goal cannot be/isn’t fulfilled.
Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what is ‘anomie’ (Durkheim)?
The result of disillusionment and deviance.
Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what 5 things does the strain come from?
Give examples.
Conformity - leads to suicide in working people, considered criminal at the time
Innovation - hacking to gain money
Retreatism - illegal drugs
Rebellion - vandalism
Ritualism - leads to suicide in working people, considered criminal at the time
Who outlines ‘Strain Theory’ where people face a pressure from society that leads to status frustration?
Merton (1938)
Cloward & Owin’s theory on Subculture outlines ______ are _________ by _______ and then form their own _________, usually found amongst the __________.
a) deviants
b) rejected
c) society
d) subculture
e) working-class
Cloward & Owin’s theory on Subculture - what are the 3 subcultures that are formed of the deviant working class?
Give examples.
Criminal subculture - profiting illegally eg drug dealers
Conflict subculture - street crime eg mugging
Retreatist subculture - ‘double failure’ youth who failed in mainstream and criminal society eg retreat into sexual deviance
Who outlines the theory of Subculture?
Cloward and Owin
Hirschi’s 4 Social Bonds theory _______ why people ____ commit ______.
_________ tie people to _______, _________ people to exercise _________.
________ have 4 different _____ of _________ that ______ this to happen. If you have a ______ combination, you can ____ as a _________ person.
a) questions, don’t, crime
b) social bonds, society, encouraging, self-restraint
c) individuals, strains, personality, good, exist, responsible
Hirschi’s 4 Social Bonds - what are the 4 social bonds needed to exist as a responsible person?
Give examples.
Belief - eg religion
Attachment - eg friendship
Involvement - eg community events
Commitment - eg job
Who criticises the Functionalist perspective?
Matza and Sykes - Techniques of Neutralisation
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes’ ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’ theory states some _______ try to appear _______ and not _________ of their _____.
If they’re ____ openly ________, they ______ gone under ‘_____’.
a) criminals
b) normal
c) responsible
d) crimes
e) not
f) remorseful
g) haven’t
h) ‘strain’
CRITICISM - What does Matza and Sykes outline are the 5 separate techniques of neutralisation (ways people claim they aren’t responsible for their crime)?
Denial of responsibility Denial of injury Blaming the victim Condemn the condemners Appealing to a higher loyalty
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.
What is denial of responsibility?
They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim they had no choice.
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.
What is denial of injury?
They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim no one was harmed.
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.
What is blaming the victim?
They acknowledge people were hurt but claim the victim is the problem and it is their fault.
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.
What is condemning the condemners?
They don’t acknowledge wrongdoing and blame the people condemning them.
Cloward & Owin’s theory of Subculture is supported by _____, 20__ = __-__% of _____ claim to be in _____, __% claim to carry _____.
Shows people are _____ to be part of a _____.
HOWEVER - could be an _________; consider what _____ people think a _____ is.
a) YouGov, 2008
b) 6-9%
c) youths
d) gangs
e) 2%
f) knives
g) proud
h) gang
i) overestimation
j) young
k) gang
CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.
What is appealing to a higher loyalty?
They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim to adhere to other norms/loyalties and these higher principles justify their behaviour.
CRITICISM - Postmodernism
How do Postmodernists criticise the Functionalist approach?
It rejects functional/rational explanations.
Katz (1988) - crime is exciting.
Lyng (1990) - young men want to test boundaries (‘edgework’)
‘Neo-tribes’ - subcultures may not be permanent
CRITICISM - Postmodernism
What are ‘neo-tribes’, according to Postmodernists?
Subcultures may not be permanent
CRITICISM - Marxism
How do Marxists criticise the Functionalist approach?
(2)
It can’t explain rich people’s crimes (Winlow, 2004)
Marxist Feminist - hegemonic masculinity explain why men commit crime and women don’t.
