Topic 1 Functionalism, Strain and Subcultural theory Flashcards
Define boundary maintenance
Crime helps to reaffirm society’s boundaries – it informs members of society that there are sanctions in place if you fail to act in the appropriate way. It reaffirms societies shared rules and reinforces social solidarity
Define socialisation
The process by which we internalise the norms and values of society – we learn this in the home (primary) and through education, media and religion later in life (secondary)
Define strain theory
This theory was introduced by Merton and he believes that crime occurs when people cannot achieve society’s goals by legitimate means – this results in different responses in which some commit crime. Merton discusses five types of response – conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion
Define social control
The mechanisms in place to stop people from deviating and to induce conformity. It is the ways society tries to ensure that its members behave as others expect them to. It can be formal (eg the law) or informal (eg peer pressure)
Define status frustration
This occurs when working class boys can’t achieve success in education – this leads to a sense of personal failure and inadequacy. They then reject the values of the school
Define adaptation and change
Crime helps to bring about change and allows society to move forward, by making necessary adaptations. The DBS checks/CRB system was introduced after the murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman
Define anomie
This means normlessness and Durkheim uses this to talk about how it occurs during periods of rapid social change. This is when existing norms become unclear or outdated. Merton argues that when individuals cannot achieve goals through legitimate means it results in a strain
Define the American dream
This tells Americans that their society is a meritocratic one and that anyone who works hard and makes the effort can get ahead and that there is opportunities for anyone who wants it. In reality this is very different and many have blocked opportunities
Define alternative status hierarchy
Cohen argues that young working class boys who experience status frustration join a subculture and turn the values of the school upside down, they reward each other with success for going against the school values
Define structural factors
These factors include societies unequal opportunity structure – some people experience a strain because they haven’t got the same opportunities as others to achieve societies goals
Define cultural factors
In today’s society there is a strong emphasis on success goals ie to achieve (big house, nice car, money) but there is a weaker emphasis on how to get them by legitimate means – this causes people to achieve them by illegitimate means
According to functionalists, why is crime found in every society?
- not all individuals are socialised effectively so some will be more prone to deviate
- there are diversity of lifestyles in complex modern societies, different groups develop subcultures in distinctive norms and values
According to Durkheim, what are the positive functions of crime?
- it reaffirms boundaries by sending a message to society and tells them what they should and shouldn’t do or they will get punished for it.
- it brings about change, deviance results in society being able to move forward and make the necessary adaptive changes, for example, Sarah’s law and Claire’s law
What does Hirshi claim?
Hirshi claims that often crime is prevented when individuals are distracted elsewhere, the less the attachment the more the crime
What are the types of bonds, according to Hirshi?
Attachment - how much do we care about others
Commitment - how much do we have to loose?
Involvement - do we have time for crime?
Belief - how strongly do we feel we should abide by the rules of society?
