Theories on Crime - 4.1 (Functionalism & Strain Theories) Flashcards
Deviance
Actions going against norms/values of a society
Crime
Behaviour breaking law of a society
Social Control
How our behaviour is controlled by society to conform to norms & values e.g. gov, police, media
Social Construction
Norms & values are created by society e.g. crime shaped by culture/historical period
General Functionalist view on Crime & Deviance
> See society based on VC, disrupted by Crime
> But crime inevitable & natural & sometimes good 4 society.
Functionalism (KS)
> Durkheim (Inevitability of Crime, BM & Change)
> Cohen (Warning)
> Erikson (Sanctioned Rule Breaking)
> Davis (Prostitution)
> Polsky (Porn)
> Merton (Strain Theory)
> Hirschi (Control Theory)
2 Reasons for Inveitability of Crime (Durkheim)
> Not all socialised w/ same values = diff & thus crime
> Anomie common in modernity
- Due 2 diversity = creation of subcultures w/ norms vs mainstream, = crime.
Boundary Maintenance (Durkheim)
> Reinforces VC & CC
> Societies rejection distinctive from law breaking, understand behaviours wrong & shouldn’t be repeated
> Maintain boundary v good & evil e.g. public reaction to Manchester attacks
Adaptation & Change (Durkheim)
> All changes begin deviance, need 4 ppl 2 challenge values
> W/out deviance = no change, if new ideas are rejected, society stagnate
> Unable 2 make necessary changes e.g. votes for F
Cohen (Warning)
> Warning signal, something in societies not working properly to policymakers/leaders.
e.g. certain aspect of law needs reform
Erikson (Sanctioned Rule Breaking)
> Institutions e.g. police actually let crime occur e.g. festivals & carnivals
> Rules are relaxed w/ blind eye to deviance, so let off steam & don’t do darker crimes
> Eases transition from childhood - adulthood
Davis (Prostitution)
Safety valve 4 M’s sexual frustration, not threatening monogamous NF as it’s 1 off.
Polsky (Pornography)
Safe channel for sexual desires, not threatening monogamous NF, how adultery would.
General Criticisms of Functionalism
> No optimal measure of crime
> Causes fear & isolation individuals e.g. rape & ignorant helps society, not V
Criticisms of Adaptation & Change
Don’t always = social change e.g. BLM = attempts 2 nullify issues.
Hirschi’s Theory
> Focus ppl not doing crime
> due 2 control by bonds of attachment
> e.g. attachment, belief, commitment, involvement
Attachment - Hirschi
> Ppl conform to VC as criminality disrupts vital bonds
e.g. education & family, employment.
Belief - Hirschi
Extent of ppl’s belief in values e.g. crime as morally wrong, stops ppl doing it
Commitment - Hirschi
Ppl committed to society unlikely to undermine wishes of others.
Involvement - Hirschi
Ppl w/ extensive commitments, have no time 2 do crime.
Reason why Hirschi feels Crime still happens
> Lack of social bonds but also poor socialisation integration, impacts desire to conform to values.
Criticisms of Hirschi
> No explanation for why some don’t integrate into society & how crime is caused?
> Ignores pull factors e.g. peer pressure
2 Factors for Engagement in Deviance (Merton)
> Structural; societies unequal opportunity structure
> Culutral: emphasis on success & less emphasis on how to achieve it legitimately.
Merton & AD as Flawed
> Values material success, belief in meritocracy, but SF block chances
> Can’t achieve legit due 2 CF
> = stress & pressure to use llegit means, due to focus on success @ all costs = anomie
