The role of crime

Question 1

What positive functions can crime have ?

Answer 1

. Boundary maintenance

. Social change + social cohesion

. Functional rebels

. Reaffirmation of norms and values

. Saftey valves

Question 2

What are some Negative functions of crime ?

Answer 2

.

Question 3

How does crime act as a ‘Safety value’ ?

Answer 3

Crime acts as a valve that prevents an ‘overflow in deviance’ by allowing a small amount of crime

An example of this is - prostitution - as it allows men to relieve sexual tension that in turn may prevent future problems - like reducing rape stats and reducing cases of DV

Question 4

How does crime act as ‘Boundary maintenance’ ?

Answer 4

Crime pushes the ‘boundaries’ of the norms and values of society which in turn promotes social change + reaffirmation of norms and values

Question 5

How does crime encourage ‘social change ?

Answer 5

by encouraging social solidarity that in turn allows people to adapt to deviant behaviour and avoid social disruption