Functionalism

Question 1

What are Durkheim’ broad theories on crime

Answer 1

too much crime will destabilise society, but crime is inevitable and universal

Durkheim (1893) crime is regularl and an integral part fin all healthy societies

Question 2

why does crime exist in society

Answer 2

ineffective socialisation

diversity of lifestyles and cultures

Question 3

What are the 5 positive functions of Crime - Durkheim

Answer 3

• Boundary maintenance - unites people in condemnation and reinforces norms and values, explaining the function of punishment, shaming of the crime reinforces shared values in society
• adaptation and change - change change starts with an act of deviance, there must be a challenge and scope to change norms and values
• Safety ValveDavis (1961) - prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of male sexual urges without the breakdown of marriage and the nuclear family
• warning sign - crime acts as a warning sign as to alert when change is needed
• licensed deviance - deviant behaviours can be regulated rather than eliminated

Question 4

Evaluation of Durkheim

Answer 4

• criticised by realists, crime is a real problem for victims and forsocietyl sociology of crime and deviance should help advise policymakers of how to prevent crime
• Marxists - fil to consider where the consensus comes from and with whose interest it serves

-nother functionalists - does not explain why some individuals/groups commit crimes but others dp not

Question 5

Why do people not commit Crime? (Hershi)

Answer 5

• attachment - how much do we care what others think, attachment bonds may stop us form committing rime
  commitment - what have we got to lose? commitment can stop people from committing crimes
  involvement - how involved in society are we? being involved in groups or activities may mean that we have less time to commit crime
  belief - to what extent do we think obeying the law is the right ting to do? how strong is our personal moral compass

Question 6

Evaluation of Hershi

Answer 6

• Asking questions about what stops people from committing crimes rather than just why they do it helps us know how to prevent crime. Promoting attachment and reducing deviance

however, does not exp.lain why some in society have secure bonds and others don’t

Question 7

What isMerton’s strain theory

Answer 7

Merton (1938) developed Durkheim’s teachings.

Deviant behaviour occurs when people are unable to achieve socially approved gals by legitimate means.

Deviance is a result of 2 factors

structural factors - societies unequal opportunities to achieve goals

cultural factors - strong emphasis on success goals and weaker emphasising on achieving goals by legitimate means

Question 8

What example is used fr Strain Theory

Answer 8

The American Dream

American culture values monetary success
Pressure to achieve success through legitimate means such as education and qualifications

the reality is some disadvantaged groups are denied opportunities legitimately

result is strain between the cultural goal of monetary success and the legitimate means of achieving them

Question 9

Evaluation of Merton

Answer 9

takes statistics at face value, too deterministic

marxists argue it ignores the power of the ruing class which make and enforce the laws that discriminate the poor

assumes value consensus that everyone desires monetarysuccess

Question 10

What is Cohen’s status frustration

Answer 10

adapts on Mertons views but criticises his view being focused on the individual and says groups act deviant

status frustration when working-class boys act deviant due to their status in a middle-class system form subcultures

gain status in deviant subcultures by going against the values of middle-class vandalism, truancy etc

explains crimes which aren’t of economic necessity

Question 11

Evaluation of Cohen

Answer 11

Criticised the idea that members of working-class subcultures consciously invert the values of middle-class society

only focuses on working-class boys; why?

Question 12

What does Cloward and Ohlin argue?

Answer 12

Interested in how subculture responses occur

not unequal access to opportunities, also unequal access to illegitimate opportunities

result in 3 subcultures

criminal, conflict, retreats

Question 13

What are the studies of the Chicago School

Answer 13

Cultural Transmission theory - Shaw and McKay: one neighbourhood develop a criminal culture passed down through generations

differential association theory -sutherland : argued deviance was a learned behaviour through interactions with other people

Social disorganisation theory - Pro and Burgess: deviance is the product of social disorganisation, such as migration and population turnover

Question 14

Evaluation of Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 14

Drug trade s a mixture of disorganised and professional criminal subcultures. Some drug dealers are retreat users and are, therefore, making a living from utilitarian crime. Cloward and Ohlins theory would not allow for that

miller argues middle class has its own values, which does not value success and as a result no pressure in failure subcultures

Matza - most delinquents are not committed to their subcultures, they drift in and out

Question 15

What does Walter Miller argue

Answer 15

working class are socialised into distinct focal concerns that make them more likely than others to act deviant

excitement
toughness
smartness
trouble
autonomy
fate