Topic 1 - Functionalism & Crime

Question 1

Why do Functionalists believe crime is inevitable in society?

Answer 1

• Poor socialisation + inequalities result in absence of taught norms and values

Question 2

Why do Functionalists believe crime is positive for society?

Answer 2

• It allows for boundary maintenance + a scope for adaptation and change

Question 3

Durkheim: Crime is inevitable due to 3 things

Answer 3

1) Socialisation - those who are poorly socialised = more likely to commit deviant acts e.g. children of criminals, underclass, no nuclear families.
2) Subcultures - subgroups that differ from society’s mainstream norms and values –> regarded as deviant.
3) Anomie - where society goes through periods of rapid social change so the boundaries are no longer clear (e.g. Pandemic)

Question 4

Durkheim: 4 Positive Functions of Crime (+ Davis)

Answer 4

• Crime maintains ‘Boundary maintenance’ of acceptable behaviors and reinforces social solidarity.
• Offenders are ‘shamed’ and punished which warns others
• Criminal acts allow individuals to challenge + change existing norms + values e.g. during Civil Rights Movement 54-68’
• DAVIS: Some deviant actions are important as they allow individuals to ‘let off steam’ e.g. prostitution, and this protects society
• Some deviance indicates an aspect of society isn’t functioning properly.

Question 5

Evaluations of Durkheim (4)

Answer 5

• Crime doesn’t always promote social solidarity, and may actually isolate subcultures
• Not all crime benefits society
• FN’s ignore how crime may have negative affects on different groups of individuals and society.
• Durkheim x explain why crime happens in the 1st place, he only explains the function it serves.

Question 6

What is Merton’s strain theory?

Answer 6

• States that crime is caused by the failure to achieve the goals of the American Dream through legitimate means.

Question 7

Merton’s 5 responses to strain?

Answer 7

Conformism - accepting the goals and legitimate means to achieve them
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Innovation - subscribe to the goals of the American dream but use illegitimate means to achieve them
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Ritualism - reject the goals but conform to the means
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Retreatism - reject both the goals of the American dream and subscribe to illegitimate means
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Rebellion - replace the goals and means with their own

Question 8

Evaluation of Merton’s strain theory (3)

Answer 8

• Cannot be used to explain all types of crimes e.g. sex crimes or violent crimes (non-utilitarian)
• Too assumptive as it assumes that everyone shares the same values of society
• Deterministic and ignores individual’s personal choice.

Question 9

Miller’s focal concerns 3 + E

Answer 9

• W/C boys often socialied into a number of values –> meant more likely to engage in deviant behaviour
• These included: Excitement, Toughness, Smartness, Trouble, Autonomy & Fate
• E.g. fatalism may prevent people from considering consequences

Evaluation:

• Miller x include gender + only talks about boys.
• Feminist critics pointed out these focal concerns may be masculine values rather than lower-class ones.

Question 10

Hirschi’s Control Theory [2 + E]

Answer 10

• People are more likely to commit crimes when an individuals bonds to society = weakened
• 4 Social bonds that bind us: Attachment, Commitment, Involvement, Belief

Evaluation: Doesn’t explain why people commit crimes when they have a lot of bonds e.g. White collar crime.