Topic 1- Crime And Deviance Flashcards
What do functionalists argue are the 2 key mechanisms that achieve solidarity?
Socialisation- instilling a shared culture into members of society
Social control- rewarding and punishing, conforming and deviance
According to Durkheim what are 2 positive functions crime has for society?
1) boundary maintenance- crime produces a reaction that unites society through the punishment of the crime.
2) adaptation and change- all change starts from an act of deviance
What are other functions of crime?
Davis- prostitution
Polsky- pornography
These are good as they are safety valve for the release of mens frustration
What does cohen argue?
Albert cohen- argued deviance is a key indicator that the institution isn’t functioning correctly
What does kai Erickson argue about society?
Kai erikson- argues if crime has positive functions then maybe society is organised in a way which makes it positive.
What is strain theory?
Merton- When people cant achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. They become frustrated and resort to criminal means.
This is due to:
Structural factors- unequal opportunity structures
Cultural factors- emphasis on success and less on legitimate ways
What are adaptations to strain?
Conformity- accept goals and legitimate ways to achieving them
Innovation- accept goals but use new illegitimate ways to achieving them
Ritualism- reject goals but follow the rules
Retreatism- reject both goals and legitimate means and become drop outs and drug addicts
Rebellion- reject societys goals and means but bring about new ones in order to bring change
What ate criticisms of mertons strain theory?
It only accounts for utilitarian crime not violent crimes
What is subcultural strain theory?
Sees deviance as a product or a delinquent subculture with different values from those of mainstream society.
Cohen- notes that most delinquent acts are promoted by status frustration
Working class boys face anomie in middle class dominated schools. This creates and alternative status hierarchy.
What is said by cloward and ohlin?
They argue that whilst crime comes from the lack of legitimate opportunities, they believe it comes from the access to illegitimate opportunities.
Argued different neighbourhoods offered different illegitimate opportunities.
What is cultural transmission theory?
Shaw and mckay- neighbourhoods have different criminal traditions or cultures which is passed down from generation to generation.
What are the 3 types of deviant subculture?
Cloward and ohlin-
1) criminal sub- utilitarian crimes
2) conflict sub- violent crimes, provides a release from frustration
3) realist sub- not being able to succeed for a normal job or criminal job therefore result in substance abuse
How does miller criticise cloward and ohlin?
Argues that not everybody shares mainstream goals, lower class have its own independent subculture.
6 focal concerns-
1) Trouble- life involves violence
2) toughness- manliness
3) smartness- looking good
4) excitement- look out for fun
5) fate- life cant be changed
6) autonomy- being independent
How does south criticise cloward and ohlin?
South argues ,after studying the drug trade, that there is often a mixture of subcultures. Criminal, conflict.
What is drift?
Matza- suggests when people have a lack on control they experience drift, they do delinquent behaviours to gain control again.
