Topic 1 - Explaining Crime: Functionalists, Strain And Subcultural Theories

Question 1

What were 2 reasons as to why Durkheim saw crime as inevitable?

Answer 1

1. Everyone is socialised differently so it is impossible for us to be alike - more likely for law to be broken
2. People have different ideas of what deviance is - more likely for law to be broken

Question 2

What are Durkheim positive functions of Crime?

Answer 2

1. Boundary maintenance - crime produces a reaction from society - unifing its members in condemning the wrongdoer
2. Adaption and change - Crime facilitates social change

Question 3

2 other positive functions of crime

Answer 3

Warning device
Safety valve

Question 4

Interactionist criticism of Durkheim

Answer 4

His theory is too deterministic and it underplays peoples agency

Question 5

What did Durkheim argue that anomie (normlessness) led to?

Answer 5

Led to more crime as it is the disappearance of the norms and values that were previously common to society

Question 6

What did Merton argue about society even though he is a functionalist?

Answer 6

Society is structurally unequal and dysfunctional

Question 7

What was Mertons ideas on the strain theory?

Answer 7

Society puts pressure on people to achieve cultural goals using institutionalised means
So when people cannot access they experience anomie which in turn leads to strain

Question 8

What are the 5 responses Merton argues to this strain?

Answer 8

1. Conformity - continuing to strive even if success is unlikely
2. Innovation - Seeking new, often illegitimate, ways to achieve success
3. Ritualism - Abandoning the goal of success but rigidly adhering to society rules
4. Retreatism - Withdrawing from society - drug abuse
5. Rebellion - Rejecting the existing goals and advocating for a new social order

Question 9

Hannon and Defronzo’s study to back up Merton

Answer 9

Those with higher levels of welfare support had lower levels of crime

Question 10

Evaluation of strain theory

Answer 10

Marxists argue it ignores the power of the ruling class to make and enforce rules
Assumes we are in a value consensus and that everyone strives for money success

Question 11

How does Cohen criticise Merton?

Answer 11

1. Ignores the fact that deviance occurs in groups
2. Ignores the fact of non-utilitarian crime

Question 12

What is status frustration?

Answer 12

When w/c boys can’t achieve status in education

Question 13

What synoptic link can you use to back up Cohen?

Answer 13

Paul Willis’ lads

Question 14

What are Coward and Ohlin’s two factors that determine which subculture youths join?

Answer 14

Where they live
Their ‘ability’ to be a criminal

Question 15

What are Cloward and Ohlins 3 types of delinquent subcultures?

Answer 15

1. Criminal subcultures
2. Conflict subcultures
3. Retreatist subcultures

Question 16

Evaluations of Cloward and Ohlins

Answer 16

• They, alongside Merton and Cohen, ignore the wider power structure
• Miller= delinquency not a product of status of frustration, but instead what he referees to attached to the six focal concerns