functionalism and structuralists

Question 1

durkheims views on crime
(5)

Answer 1

1. crime is inevitable and universal
2. crime can be functional
3. too much crime is dysfunctional
4. social control creates stable societies

Question 2

what does Durkheim believe causes of crime are

Answer 2

-not effective socialisation of norms and values
-modern societies has different views on what is/ isn’t deviant
-normlessness( anomie) in modern Society leads to more deviance as lack of agreement

Question 3

ways crime can be functional (Durkheim)
4

Answer 3

-BOUNDARY MAINTENANCE-c&d used to explain right and wrong, public shame to reinforce norms and values
-ADAPTATION&CHANGE- for laws to change there must be a challenge to norms and values
-SAFETY VALVE- prostetution, safe release of male sex frustration w/o undermining nuclear fam ie. use of porn
-WARNING- if c&d appears is a sign something will go wrong and society isn’t functioning properly ie.truancy is an education issue

Question 4

criticism of Durkheims view

Answer 4

-safety valve undermines the nuclear family and feminists would argue partriarchal soc that women have to abide
-adaption and change- what’s right and wrong depends on the bourgeoisie
-too deterministic- “too much is dysfunctional” = vague

Question 5

merton

Answer 5

-strain theory- commit c&d bc cant achieve social goals (American d )by legitimate means
-the pressure to achieve (ie. American dream) is stronger than the social controls preventing c&d leading to inc in c&d

Question 6

what are the deviant responses to strain (merton)
5

Answer 6

-conformity (work harder to achieve legitimately)
-innovation- accept the mainstream goals so achieve them illegitamatley (ie. drug/theft)
-ritualism- give up (fatalism)
-retreatism- reject main goals and legitimate means (drop outs )
-rebellion

Question 7

ao3 merton criticism

Answer 7

-not explain UC crime, why UC commit fraud if all have American dream

Question 8

what is the institutional anomie theory (recent strain)
use as an a03

Answer 8

-obssession with financial situation creates a formless society where ppl accept anything goes (c&d) to achieve success

Question 9

a.k.cohen- structuralists
what 3 ideas does he put forward

Answer 9

-status frustration- face problem of being forced into MC values, angry so join delinquent sub
-subcultures- reject values of mainstream society
-alternate status heirachy- WC try to achieve somewhere else creating an illegitamate opportunity structure bc cant achieve status legitimately , ie. winning a fight

Question 10

supporters of a.k Cohen subcultures

Answer 10

-willis lads
-lacey polarisation

Question 11

coward and olin (structuralists)

Answer 11

illegitamate opportunity structures-> not all have the ability to achieve legitamately
1-CRIMINAL SUBCULTURES- adult and young associate together, pass on skills, journey to deviant career
2-CONFLICT SUBCULTURES -high pop turnover so cant establish heirachy
3-RETREATIST SUBCULTURES- fail legitamately and illegitamately, dont aspire to be criminal bc dont want be double failures