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Crime and Deviance > Functionalism > Flashcards

Functionalism Flashcards

1
Q

What does Durkheim argue?

A

A certain amount of crime is inevitable and beneficial for society
There are four positive functions of crime:

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2
Q

What are the four positive functions of crime?

A

Boundary maintenance
Warning device
Social change
Safety valve

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3
Q

What is boundary maintenance?

A

Brings people together in condemnation of the wrongdoer. It reaffirms society’s shared rules which discourages others from breaking the rules. Deterring other crimes from taking place.

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4
Q

What is warning device?

A

Deviance can act as an early warning mechanism that an institution is not fucnctioning properly.

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5
Q

What is safety valve?

A

Allowing minor crimes or deviance to avoid bigger problems in society

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6
Q

What is social change?

A

Some people delibrately defy laws that they think are wrong. This helps to change the collective conscience which produces positive change for society.

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7
Q

‘Society requires a certain amount of deviance to function successfully’, what is wrong with this?

A

His answer is too vague because he doesn’t specify what percentage of crime is needed. The amount of crime may be unhealthy and dangerous.

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8
Q

‘People share similar views on what is considered right and wrong’, what is wrong with this?

A

He makes the assumption that everyone is socialised in the same way.

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9
Q

‘Crime is functional for society’, what is wrong with this?

A

Disregarding the fact that crime may be wrong. He ignores the negative functions of society and ignores the victims. E.g: trauma

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10
Q

‘Laws is an expression of society’s moral sentiments’, what is a problem with this?

A

Laws can be changed and are socially constructed by society, so crime and deviance can also change.

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11
Q

What is Merton’s theory called?

A

Strain to anomie

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12
Q

What is strain to anomie?

A

In the USA, people wanted to live the American Dream but not everyone had the same opportunities the achieve their goals legitimately. There was a strain between the desire to succeed and the lack of legitimate opportunities.

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13
Q

What were the five types of behaviours Merton introduced as a response to the strain?

A

Conformation
Innovation
Retreatism
Ritualism
Rebellion

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14
Q

What is Conformity and an example?

A

Someone who accepts both the cultural goals and the institutionalised means. E.g: a successful banker.

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15
Q

What is innovation and an example?

A

Accepts the cultural goals but rejects the institutionalised means. E.g: a drug dealer.

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16
Q

What is ritualism and an example?

A

Accepts the institutionalised means but rejects the cultural goals. E.g: An alcoholic

17
Q

What is retreatism and an example?

A

Someone who rejects both the cultural goals and the institutionalised means. E.g: monk in a monastry

18
Q

What is rebellion and an example?

A

Rejects both the cultural goals and institutionalised means but sets new goals for themselves. E.g: shoplifter

19
Q

‘People commit crime for material gain’, how is this problematic?

A

It only assumes crime is about utilitarian crime. He doesn’t take into account the non-utilitarian crime that is committed like rape or revenge.

20
Q

‘Merton thought that deviant behaviour was particularly common among those from lower classes who were frustrated’, what is wrong with this?

A

People are committing white collar crimes but they are able to get away with it because they have lots of money.

21
Q

‘Deviance results from individuals adapting to the strain to anomie. Are all crimes an individual act?’, what is wrong with this?

A

He ignores group crimes, not everyone commits crimes individually. They can commit crime in a subculture or a gang committing non-utilitarian crimes.

22
Q

What is Hirschi’s control theory?

A

There are social bonds which pull people away from crime making them prevent it.

23
Q

What are the four social bonds?

A

Attatchment
Committment
Belief
Involvement

24
Q

What is the social bond ‘Attatchment’?

A

How much do we care whay others think? Like spouses and their thoughts.

25
Q

What is the social bond ‘Belief’?

A

To what exttent do we believe obeying the law is the right thing to do.

26
Q

What is the social bond ‘Involvement’?

A

How involved are we with society and what takes up our time?

27
Q

What is the social bond ‘commitment’

A

What have we got to lose? A good job etc.

28
Q

How can this view be problematic? (3)

A

Too deterministic
Cannot create generalisations
Take into account CAGE

Crime and Deviance (4 decks)

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