Functionalism,Strain & Subculture

Question 1

Why did Durkheim think crime happens ?

Answer 1

Crime happens as not everyone is equally socialised into society’s norms and values so some deviate. Society is a mix of subcultures so something seen as a crime may not be a crime to others.

Question 2

What is the difference between crime and deviance?

Answer 2

Crime- against the law

Deviance- against the norms

Question 3

What do functionalists believe about crime and why?

Answer 3

Crime is inevitable due to diversity and socialisation

Question 4

Socialisation and Diversity leads to crime being inevitable , explain how ?

Answer 4

Socialisation

• values and morals
• lone parent families
• parenting style
• living conditions
• role models

Diversity

• competing views
• class, gender,age
• everyone is different

Question 5

Why is crime a social indication for Functionalists ?

Answer 5

Crime helps to understand that there may be a social issue that exists

Question 6

Explain the 1st function of crime from the Functionalist perspective

Answer 6

Social solidarity-

People come together to condemn wrong doings.Moral Panic brings people together.

Question 7

Explain the 2nd function of crime from the Functionalist perspective

Answer 7

Boundary Maintenance-

Crime reinforces their commitment to shared norms and values.

Question 8

Explain the 3rd function of crime from the Functionalist perspective

Answer 8

Adaption and change-

Deviant or criminal behaviours might push limits, so to change law or attitudes.For example protesting.

Question 9

Give 2 examples of crime, showing functionalists functions of crime

Answer 9

Baltimore Riots-

• raised awareness
• help create some sort of change
• showed what was wrong/right

Nine Eleven-
-people came together to express their concern leading to social solidarity

Question 10

What do Functionalists believe about punishments?

Answer 10

They believe it is beneficial because it shows us what is wrong/right and sets up an example leading to social order

Question 11

What would labelling theorists think? (A03)

Answer 11

They might suggest that rather than bringing people together, in shared moral outrage, crime can actually marginalise groups further.

Example -
After terrorist attacks, in the name of Islam, the media has demonised all Muslims as terrorists. this has led to more hate crime and Islamophobia.

Question 12

What would feminists think? (A03)

Answer 12

Gender socialisation is one of the key problems that leads to crime.

Example-
Prostitution industry means that millions of women worldwide are employed to offer sexual services to men

Question 13

What would Marists think?

? (A03)

Answer 13

All social solidarity does is benefit the middle class, this would mean that the middle class ideologies will be pushed forward. Social solidarity just leads to the ignorance of the working class. Also functionalists are ignoring WHY crime is happening and that from a Marxist perspective is due to capitalism.

Question 14

What is strain theory and how is deviance a result of it?

Answer 14

Strain theory is when you are frustrated, you can’t get the life you want. Deviance is a result of strain between structural factors and cultural factors

Question 15

What does Merton focus on?

Answer 15

He talks about responses to strain.

Question 16

What is rebellion according to Merton ?

Answer 16

Where people reject the goals and replace them with new ones

Question 17

What is retreatism according to Merton ?

Answer 17

Where people reject the goals and means of achieving them, often being drop-outs and homeless

Question 17

What is ritualism according to Merton ?

Answer 17

Where people accept the goals but give up on achieving them but still use legitimate techniques

Question 18

Explain the 1st Cloward and Ohlins subculture

Answer 18

Criminal subcultures-
A career like organisation. Exists in long-standing and stable criminal culture with an established hierarchy of professional adults.

Examples

• The mafia
• Yakuza a mafia

Question 20

What are the criticisms of Merton?

Answer 20

White collar crime isn’t explained. Not all crime if for self-gain

Question 21

Explain the 2nd Clowars and Ohlin subculture

Answer 21

Conflict subcultures-
No stable professional criminal organisation. Instead lots of groups emerge with little opportunity and high risk of violence as a source of status.

Examples

• Chicago Gangs
• London’s killing (no hierarchy based on loyalty)

Question 22

Explain the 3rd Cloward and Ohlin subculture

Answer 22

Retreatism subculture-
Those who are not able to succeed in legitamate ways or illegitimate ways. Lack of opportunity and exclusions from society may lead to deviant behaviour

Example
-Jamaican Gully Queens ( group of LGBQT that we’re kicked out of home. Can’t succeed in criminal activities)

Question 24

What are the weaknesses of subculture theory?

Answer 24

Ignore white collar crime and draw subculture boundaries too sharply and ignore how they can all act together.

Question 25

What is ritualism according to Merton?

Answer 25

Where people accept the goals but give up on achieving them but still use legitimate techniques