Functionalism

Question 1

In a nutshell

Answer 1

Functionalists believe that crime is inevitable in society; poor socialisation and inequality result in the absence of norms and values being taught. In addition, functionalists believe crime is positive for society because it allows boundary maintenance, and allows a scope for adaptation and change.

Question 2

Durkhiem

Answer 2

Crime is inevitable - Poor socialisation results in not everyone being taught the same norms and values.
The inevitability of crime stems from the inequality that exists in society

Crime is positive - ‘Boundary maintenance’ is the concept that crime is functional in society when there is the right amount. When people are punished for committing crimes, it teaches the rest of society not to go against norms and values, in turn strengthening boundaries and preventing further crime.
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Question 3

Davis

Answer 3

Davis agrees with Durkheim in that crime can be positive, but in a different way. He believes prostitution provides positive functions because it allows men to express sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family.

Question 4

Adaptation and change -

Answer 4

Adaptation and change - Some crime can be functional for society because it allows social adaptation and change; this means that for society to have norms and values that change as a form of rationalism, a criminal act must take place.

Question 5

Merton

Answer 5

Merton’s ‘strain theory’ states that crime is caused by the failure to achieve the goals of the American dream through legitimate means. In his theory there are five different responses to the American Dream:

Question 6

five different responses to the American Dream:

Answer 6

Conformism - accepting the goals and legitimate means to achieve them
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Innovation - subscribe to the goals of the American dream but use illegitimate means to achieve them
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Ritualism - reject the goals but conform to the means
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Retreatism - reject both the goals of the American dream and subscribe to illegitimate means
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Rebellion - replace the goals and means with their own

Question 7

Cohen

Answer 7

Cohen’s ‘status frustration’ theory focuses on working-class boys in schools who fail to succeed in middle-class environments, and in turn, form delinquent subcultures that go against middle-class norms and values. Subsequently, working-class boys try to succeed within subcultures by trying to rise in the hierarchy, which they have more chance of succeeding in. This explains why people commit non-utilitarian crimes.

Question 8

Cloward & Ohlin

Answer 8

Cloward and Ohlin develop Cohen’s status frustration theory by suggesting there are 3 types of subcultures:

Question 9

3 types of subcultures:

Answer 9

Criminal subcultures provide ‘apprenticeships’ for utilitarian crime. They exist in areas with stable criminal cultures, with hierarchies of professional criminals (e.g. drug dealers).
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Conflict subcultures exist in areas of high population turnover. There is social disorganisation and only loosely organised gangs (e.g. postcode/turf wars).
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Retreatist subcultures are formed of people who fail in both legitimate AND illegitimate means and may turn to illegal drug use (e.g. ‘junkies’).