Theories of crime- Functionalism-Durkheim Flashcards
What is a society according to functionalists?
a stable society based on value consensus. shared norms, values, beliefs and goals.
Society’s shared norms and values produce:
social solidarity, binding individuals in a harmonious unit.
what two mechanisms do sociologists use to produce social solidarity?
- Socialisation
- Social control
Socialisation:
passing on a shared culture. this ensures people behave in the way society requires.
Social control:
Mechanisms eg: positive sanctions for conformity and negative sanctions for deviance. this ensures individuals behave as society expects.
Durkheim believes that a certain amount of crime has a:
positive effect on society. and is a normal part of society.
functionalists say that although crime disrupts social stability, it is i_________ and u_________
inevitable and universal.
2 reasons why crime is always present:
- not everyone is effectively socialised.
- there is a diversity of lifestyles in complex modern societies.
Not everyone is effectively socialised into:
the shared culture of norms and values, so some individuals are prone to deviance.
What occurs in complex modern societies?
a diversity of lifestyles
Diversity of lifestyles:
different subcultures develop with their own norms and values- some of which mainstream society sees as deviant.
according to Durkheim, what is there a tendency towards?
Anomie (normlessness) in complex modern society
Definition of anomie:
normlessness, the rules of governing behaviour become weaker and less clear-cut.
Why is there a tendency towards anomie?
because in complex modern societies, individuals are becoming increasingly different from one another, there is social and cultural diversity.
what does social and cultural diversity weaken?
the shared culture and collective conscience, resulting in higher levels of crime and deviance.
