Functionalist and subcultural theories

Question 1

Durkheim’s functionalist theory

Answer 1

• Society is a stable structure based on shared norms, values and beliefs (value consensus).
• Crime is inevitable but it helps society function.
• Boundary maintenance: crime unties society.
• Social change: Individuals with ideas must change existing norms.
• Safety valve: Committing some crimes can relieve others from their thoughts and prevent bigger crimes from occurring.
• Warning light: Deviance indicates that an institution isn’t functioning properly.

Question 2

Merton’s strain theory

Answer 2

• Unequal structure of society.
• Opportunities for W/C are usually blocked.
• This causes crime and deviance.
• In society there is a ‘goal’ you must have the means and accept the goal.
• Innovators accept the goal but go about it in an illegal way.
• Ritualist’s give up striving for success and plod along in a dead end job.
• Retreatists are drop out who reject both the goal and the means.
• Rebels reject existing goals and means and create new ones, aligning with changing society.

Question 3

Status Frustration

Answer 3

• W/C have blocked opportunities.
• W/C males are placed at the bottom of the official school hierarchy.
• This leads to status frustration, the feeling of worthlessness.
• This can lead to crimes such as vandalism.

Question 4

Three subcultures.

Answer 4

• Cloward and Ohlin state that different neighbourhoods produce different deviant subcultures.
• Criminal subcultures: areas where criminality is the norm, apprenticeships for criminal careers are available.
• Conflict subcultures: criminal opportunities are only in street gangs, violence provides a release for frustration.
• Retreatist subcultures: made up of drop outs who have failed opportunities, based on drug use.