functionalism and subcultural theory Flashcards
(6 cards)
Durkheim beliefs of C+D
crime = ineveitable and is present in every society
crime and deviance can be functional but too much is dysfunctional
causes: anomie - social norms are less clear cut, modern soc has dif views
social control creates stable societies - creates social cohesion
Durkheim positive functions of crime
boundary maintenance - used as deterrence showing people what to do and what not to do
adaptation to change - needed for positive causes (civil rights)
safety valve - men must be deviant to prevent crimes (Davis - prostitution = safe release for sexual frustration)
Cohen - warning that specific part of society isn’t working properly
Merton
Strain theory - people turn to deviance as cannot achieve goals legitimately
combines structural and cultural factors
strain to reach ‘American dream’
conformity - accept goals and achieve them legitimately
innovation - accept mainstream goals but use illegitimate means
rebellion - reject existing soc goals and instead bring revolutionary change
Messner and Rosenfield
instrumental anomie
obsession with money and success makes it so ‘anything goes’ to achieve success
A.K. Cohen
criticised Merton
status frustration - boys and men commit non-utilitarian crime because angry with position - subcultures reject the values of mainstream soc
alternative status hierarchy - fail legitimately so boys create own illegitimate opportunity structure where they get status from peers
Cloward + Ohlin
illegitimate opportunity structure - not everyone has ability to achieve illegitimately
criminal subcultures - adult and young associate together - pass on skills for youth to have a successful deviant career
conflict subculture - high pop turnover so cannot establish hierarchy, status comes from winning turf from rival gangs
retreatist - those who dont aspire to be professional criminal and attached as double failures
