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AY13 Sociology - Crime and Deviance > The Functionalist Perspective > Flashcards

The Functionalist Perspective Flashcards

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1
Q

What kind of approach does functionalism approve of?

What does this mean?

A

Macro approach

Society is viewed as a big system.

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2
Q

Functionalism is a structural theory.

What does this mean?

A

Fixed institutions in society have an intended purpose and structure.

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3
Q

Functionalism believes socialisation is key.

What is socialisation?

A

Teaching children society’s norms/values that allows them to suitably enter and adhere to society.

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4
Q

What do functionalists believe you should do to children?

A

Socialise them

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5
Q

What do functionalists believe society is formed around?

A

A value consensus

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6
Q

Functionalism is a consensus theory.

What does this mean?

A

Society functions collectively in a way that enables people to get along.

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7
Q

Functionalists believe in social control.

What is this?

A

When society controls its members through shame, pride, responsibility etc.

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8
Q

Functionalists believe in a collective conscience/culture.

What does this mean?

A

Agreed beliefs, understandings and feelings as a group in society.

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9
Q

What does Durkheim believe about crime?

A

It is a normal, healthy aspect of all societies.

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10
Q

According to Durkheim, crime is __________.

A

Inevitable

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11
Q

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

a) not, norms/values, exposed, influences, circumstances

b) diversity, lifestyles, values, subcultures, norms/values, ‘deviant’

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12
Q

Durkheim believes crime and deviance can perform _______ functions within _______.

A

a) positive

b) society

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13
Q

What do Functionalists believe about society’s relationship with crime?

A

Society promotes crime.

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14
Q

Functionalists believe society promotes crime.
What does Erikson (1966) say about it?

(3)

A

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.

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15
Q

What kind of deviance do Functionalists align with?

A

Normative

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16
Q

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

a) unacceptable

c) violates
d) norms
e) acceptable

g) British Attitude Survey.

h) ‘collective conscience’
i) differences
j) offend
k) ‘normal’

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17
Q

What is the type of deviance that directly opposes Functionalism’s view on normative deviance?

A

Relative deviance

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18
Q

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

a) different
b) conflict

c) complexity
d) simple
e) universal
f) social construction.

g) prevailing
h) cost

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19
Q

In what societies is relative deviance evident in?

A

Modern, multicultural, globalised societies.

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20
Q

Which 2 types of theorists oppose normative deviance/functionalists?

Explain why.

A

Interactionist - complex social interactions result in some values emerging as important.

Conflict - values of society are dominated and directed by ruling classes (Marxist).

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21
Q

Functionalists are POSITIVISTS.

What do RELATIVISTS study?

A

The process of individuals.

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22
Q

According to Durkheim, why is crime essential for performing positive functions within society?

A

People have to do something wrong in order to establish a consensus and decide what’s right.

23
Q

Why does DURKHEIM argue society promotes crime?

A

Too little crime is a warning as it means society is repressing & controlling its members too much, stifling individual freedom.

24
Q

How is boundary maintenance a positive function of crime, according to DURKHEIM?
(3)

A

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.

25
Q

DURKHEIM - what is an example of adaptation and chance (positive function of crime)?

A

Same sex relationships were once illegal, it was then declassified as a mental health disorder in 1983.

26
Q

What are the two positive functions of crime in society, according to DURKHEIM?

A

Boundary maintenance

Adaptation and chance

27
Q

How is adaptation & change a positive function of crime, according to DURKHEIM?

(3)

A

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.

28
Q

Who argues the two positive functions of crime are boundary maintenance and adaptation & change?

A

Durkheim

29
Q

What does Davis (1937) argue the positive function of crime is?
Give an example.

A

It’s a safety belt to release societal stresses.

Prostitution lets men release sexual frustrations without threatening the monogamous nuclear family.

30
Q

What does Cohen argue the positive function of crime is?

Give an example.

A

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.

31
Q

Who argues deviance acts as a safety belt?

A

Davis (1937)

32
Q

Who argues crime and deviance acts as a warning device for society?

A

Cohen

33
Q

What is the principle of Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory? (2)

A

Role allocation & not meeting expectations leads to strain.

Societal pressure means strain leads to status frustration.

34
Q

Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what is status frustration?

A

People become annoyed because their role/goal cannot be/isn’t fulfilled.

35
Q

Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what is ‘anomie’ (Durkheim)?

A

The result of disillusionment and deviance.

36
Q

Merton’s (1938) Strain Theory - what 5 things does the strain come from?

Give examples.

A

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

37
Q

Who outlines ‘Strain Theory’ where people face a pressure from society that leads to status frustration?

A

Merton (1938)

38
Q

Cloward & Owin’s theory on Subculture outlines ______ are _________ by _______ and then form their own _________, usually found amongst the __________.

A

a) deviants
b) rejected
c) society
d) subculture
e) working-class

39
Q

Cloward & Owin’s theory on Subculture - what are the 3 subcultures that are formed of the deviant working class?

Give examples.

A

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

40
Q

Who outlines the theory of Subculture?

A

Cloward and Owin

41
Q

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

a) questions, don’t, crime
b) social bonds, society, encouraging, self-restraint
c) individuals, strains, personality, good, exist, responsible

42
Q

Hirschi’s 4 Social Bonds - what are the 4 social bonds needed to exist as a responsible person?

Give examples.

A

Belief - eg religion
Attachment - eg friendship
Involvement - eg community events
Commitment - eg job

43
Q

Who criticises the Functionalist perspective?

A

Matza and Sykes - Techniques of Neutralisation

44
Q

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

a) criminals
b) normal
c) responsible
d) crimes
e) not
f) remorseful
g) haven’t
h) ‘strain’

45
Q

CRITICISM - What does Matza and Sykes outline are the 5 separate techniques of neutralisation (ways people claim they aren’t responsible for their crime)?

A 
Denial of responsibility 
Denial of injury 
Blaming the victim 
Condemn the condemners 
Appealing to a higher loyalty
46
Q

CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.

What is denial of responsibility?

A

They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim they had no choice.

47
Q

CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.

What is denial of injury?

A

They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim no one was harmed.

48
Q

CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.

What is blaming the victim?

A

They acknowledge people were hurt but claim the victim is the problem and it is their fault.

49
Q

CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.

What is condemning the condemners?

A

They don’t acknowledge wrongdoing and blame the people condemning them.

50
Q

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

a) YouGov, 2008
b) 6-9%
c) youths
d) gangs
e) 2%
f) knives
g) proud
h) gang
i) overestimation
j) young
k) gang

51
Q

CRITICISM - Matza and Sykes ‘Techniques of Neutralisation’.

What is appealing to a higher loyalty?

A

They acknowledge wrongdoing but claim to adhere to other norms/loyalties and these higher principles justify their behaviour.

52
Q

CRITICISM - Postmodernism

How do Postmodernists criticise the Functionalist approach?

A

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

53
Q

CRITICISM - Postmodernism

What are ‘neo-tribes’, according to Postmodernists?

A

Subcultures may not be permanent

54
Q

CRITICISM - Marxism

How do Marxists criticise the Functionalist approach?

(2)

A

It can’t explain rich people’s crimes (Winlow, 2004)

Marxist Feminist - hegemonic masculinity explain why men commit crime and women don’t.

AY13 Sociology - Crime and Deviance (20 decks)

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