Functionalism - Durkheim Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Functionalism - Durkheim Deck (12)
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1
Q

What does Durkheim believe about crime?

A
  • crime is inevitable

- not everyone can integrate into norms and values

2
Q

According to Durkheim what does crime cause in society?

A
  • problem of modernity
  • rapid social stress can lead to anomie (norm less)
  • anomie causes less integration and more individualism
  • p’s look out for themselves not community
3
Q

According to Durkheim what causes crime?

A
  • specialised division of labour
  • lead to p’s becoming increasingly different from one another
  • weakens collective conscience
  • leads to higher levels of crime
4
Q

What are the 4 positive functions of crime?

A
  • boundary maintenance
  • safety valve
  • warning device
  • social change
5
Q

What is boundary maintenance?

A
  • crime produces a reaction from society
  • units members against criminal
  • draws consciousness together
  • reaffirms societies shared rules
  • DISCOURAGES OTHERS FROM RULE BREAKING, SHOWS BOUNDARIES
6
Q

What is social change (function)?

A
  • all change starts w/ deviance
  • some p’s are deliberately deviant to change attitudes and laws
  • PRODUCES CHANGES THAT WILL HELP SOCIETY FUNCTION MORE EFFECTIVELY
7
Q

What is safety valve?

A
  • allows minor crime and deviance to avoid bigger problems

- MINOR CRIME HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR CHANGE TO PREVENT BIGGER CRIMES

8
Q

What is the warning device?

A
  • crime can be a warning mechanism that an institution is failing
  • POLICY MAKERS CAN MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES
9
Q

How does prostitution link to the positive functions?

A
  • safety valve: allows p’s to see their relationship needs fixing
  • warning device: highlights a problem in marriage
10
Q

How do the Christchurch shootings link to the positive functions?

A
  • led to change in gun laws
  • banned every gun used in attack
  • penalty / 5 years in prison if used
  • social change
11
Q

What is a strength of Durkheims theory?

A

Highlights the positive view that crime can have positive impacts

12
Q

What is a weakness of durkheims theory?

A

Doesn’t explain why some groups and more likely to commit crimes than others