Functionalist theories

Question 1

What are Durkheim’s views on the functions of crime and deviance?

Answer 1

Crime is inevitable in all societies
We all experience life differently and have different demands placed on us, so it’s impossible to expect everyone to have the same values and moral beliefs

Question 2

What are Durkheim’s four arguments as to why C&D are beneficial in small amounts?

Answer 2

• C&D strengthen collective values (we all unite against extreme wrongs)
• C&D enable social change (through forcing difficult discussions)
• C&D act as a safety value (life is stressful so “letting off steam” can be healthy, avoiding riots/rebellion)
• C&D act as a warning device (changes in crime rates can tell us what society needs to act on)

Question 3

What are Merton’s views on the functions of crime and deviance?

Answer 3

C&D is caused by strain and anomie
These lead to status frustration, where people feel motivated to break society’s rules because it seems impossible to be successful within their limits

Question 4

What are Merton’s 4 reactions to strain?

Answer 4

Conformity - accept your limited means and work within the law to reach an accepted goal
Innovation - find new illegal/immoral ways to reach an accepted goal
Ritualism - accept limited means and abandon hope of reaching accepted goals
Rebellion - reject legal means and abandon agreed and accepted goals