YS: FUNCTIONALISM & NR Flashcards
What does functionalist Merton’s strain theory recognise about what causes crime?
Individuals may experience a strain between the goals or values of society and what they are able to achieve, which may lead to a deviant response.
What do functionalists Cloward and Ohlin recognise about within a subculture?
The deviant means of achieving society’s goals often become the acceptable means.
What does functionalist Cohen state about ‘status frustration’?
Teenage boys desire status. However, a working-class boy who clings to this value system of education will see himself as inferior to middle-class boys. Causing ‘status frustration’.
What did Cloward and Ohlin mean by ‘blocked opportunities’?
Some people experience ‘blocked opportunities’ to attain valued goals through legitimate means. So turn to illegitimate means to achieve.
What are Cloward and Ohlin’s three types of deviant subcultures?
- Criminal subcultures: stable areas where there is criminal hierarchy.
- Conflict subcultures: formed in unstable areas, turn to violence and gangs to protect the area.
- Retreatist: fail to achieve illegitimately or legitimately and so they retreat from societal values altogether.
What did functionalist Miller state about ‘focal concerns’?
Working-class boys do not even try to gain academic success - this is a middle class value. Create 'focal concerns' of being macho and good in a fight.
What is the overall criticism of the functionalist perspective?
Presents a sweeping generalisation of the working class.
How is Cohen criticised?
Assumes that all working-class boys are reacting to their failure to achieve mainstream values, but Miller disagrees, stating it is their own values.
What is Murray and the New Right generally’s overall view of deviant youth subcultures?
They have not received appropriate socialisation into the value consensus held by the rest of society.
What are the norms and values of deviants according to Murray?
Criminality and laziness.
What is Murray’s argument about the underclass?
Do not want to work and see a dependency on welfare as a positive lifestyle choice.
What does Murray condemn regarding mothers?
The increase in single mothers raising young boys with no father in their lives.
What does Murray state that girls with no father end up being?
Emotionally damaged and get themselves pregnant at a young age.
What does Murray state boys without fathers tend to do?
Grow up unsocialised.
Tend to have poor impulse control, making them ‘sexual predators’.
What study directly criticises the New Right view?
Macdonald sought to test Murray’s dependency culture idea among deprived youth.
One extract from his findings quotes ‘I would hate being on the dole.’
