Functionalism

Question 1

Who are they 2 key thinkers associated with Functionalism?

Answer 1

Durkheim and Merton

Question 2

How did Durkheim say crime changed over time?

Answer 2

Crime rates have risen from pre industrial societies compared to modern societies due to the increase of anomie.

Question 3

What did Durkheim claim about crime?

Answer 3

It is present in all societies, and therefore must play a positive function in society.

Question 4

What were Durkheim’s 4 functions of crime?

Answer 4

Functional Rebellion 
Social Cohesion 
Boundary Maintenance 
Safety Valve 
Warning

Question 5

What did Durkheim mean by ‘functional rebellion’?

Answer 5

An act that provokes social change by highlighting problems in the way society is organised - can lead to changes in laws.

Question 6

What did Durkheim mean by ‘social cohesion’?

Answer 6

An act that brings the rest of law-abiding citizens together in collective shock.

Question 7

What did Durkheim mean by ‘boundary maintenance’?

Answer 7

Acts that remind us that certain behaviours are unacceptable - punishments delivered publicly which deter others.

Question 8

What did Durkheim mean by ‘safety valve’?

Answer 8

Acts that prevent more serious crimes from taking place.

Question 9

What did Durkheim mean by ‘warning’?

Answer 9

An act that, if happens frequently, raises awareness of social problems which need to be dealt with.

Question 10

What is an example of ‘functional rebellion’?

Answer 10

Divorce Reform Act, Equal Pay, Gay marriage.

Question 11

What is an example of ‘social cohesion’?

Answer 11

Terrorism - Manchester attack

Question 12

What is an example of ‘boundary maintenance’?

Answer 12

London Riots 2011 - stealing water lead to 6 months imprisonment.

Question 13

What is an example of ‘safety valve’?

Answer 13

Polsky - access to porn reduces sexual offences.

Davis - prostitution reduces marital breakdown.

Question 14

What is an example of ‘warning’?

Answer 14

Case of Baby P led to an increase in child protection laws in which teachers or other figures of authority could be held accountable for an injury/death of a child if they see a problem but do not report it.

Question 15

What is the name of Merton’s theory?

Answer 15

Strain Theory

Question 16

What are the origins of Mertons theory?

Answer 16

Strain stems from the American Dream - a set of aspirations/goals based upon the meritocratic system of the USA where hard work is rewarded by material success.
However, this is a myth as not everyone can achieve it.

Question 17

What is meant by ‘strain theory’?

Answer 17

The belief that crime occurs when people have a desire to achieve socially acceptable goals, but they lack to legitimate means to do so.

Question 18

What did Merton say are the main causes of strain?

Answer 18

Unequal Opportunity Structures and the emphasis on achieving material success.

Question 19

What are Merton’s 5 responses to strain?

Answer 19

Conformity 
Innovation 
Ritualism 
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 20

What did Merton mean by ‘conformity’?

Answer 20

Accepting socially approved goals and striving to achieve them in a legitimate manner.

Question 21

What did Merton mean by ‘innovation’?

Answer 21

Accepting socially approved goals, but using crime as a shortcut to achieve them.

Question 22

What did Merton mean by ‘ritualism’?

Answer 22

Giving up on achieving the goals of society but continuing to follow legitimate rules.

Question 23

What did Merton mean by ‘retreatism’?

Answer 23

Giving up on trying to be successful and ‘dropping out of society’.

Question 24

What did Merton mean by ‘rebellion’?

Answer 24

Rejecting goals of society and instead creating your own.