functionalist and subcultural theories

Question 1

DURKHIEM - four characteristics of crime and deviance

Answer 1

INEVITABLE: always exists

UNIVERSAL: exists in all societies

RELATIVE: varies between time, culture and place

FUNCTIONAL: beneficial to society by reminding us of the norms and values of society

Question 2

DAVID KINGSLEY - crime as a safety valve

Answer 2

• safety valve is outlets for behaviour that is considered deviant, but cannot be eradicated from society
• example: drug taking at festivals
• prostitution - conflict between man’s sexual desires, and societies need to restrict its members

Question 3

COHEN - warning signs

Answer 3

• crime acts as a warning sign that there is a defect in society
• e.g. truancy - could indicate that changes are needed in the education system

Question 4

MERTON - strain theory

Answer 4

• crime is a response to failing to achieve societies goals
• american culture places great emphasis on success and wealth
• norms and values give us a legitimate way of achieving success
• when individuals fail or are excluded from the system, this creates anomie (society has lost its norms)
• people want success, so they are prepared to deviate from the legitimate norms and values

Question 5

MERTON: types of adaptation

Answer 5

CONFORMITY: typical response

INNOVATION: fraud

RITUALISM: working hard in a dead end job

RETREATISM: drunk/drug addicts

REBELLION: political radicals (e.g. hippies)

Question 6

COHEN (subcultural theories) - STATUS FRUSTRATION

Answer 6

• contrasts MERTON, who focuses on utilitarian crime
• working class crime is related to status frustration (non-utilitarian crime-not for money - vandalism, fighting)
• anti-social and criminal behaviour are valued by subcultures, so boys get respect from their peers
• provides an alternative status hierarchy

Question 7

CLOWARD AND OHLIN - three subcultures

Answer 7

focus on the social environment which causes crime

1. criminal subculture - patterns of adult crime act as role models for success (especially in crimes with financial gain)
2. conflict subculture - areas of high social disorganisation and no legitimate means for success (gang violence)
3. retreatist subculture - focus on drug use - failed in legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures

Question 8

MILLER - working class subcultures

Answer 8

• masculinity is achieved by deviance
• excitement and toughness is achieved through cheeky authority, gambling, fighting, drug taking

Question 9

MATZA - criticisms of subcultural theories

Answer 9

• techniques of neutralisation show that even criminals are socialised into societies norms and values, as they know their behaviour is wrong and not accepted by society
• most young boys apologise - agree what they did was wrong