functionalist and subcultural theories of crime Flashcards
(10 cards)
why is crime inevitable according to Durkheim?
- not everyone is effectively socialised into shared norms and values.
- different subcultures hold different values and what they regard as normal may be deviant in mainstream culture.
- in modern societies there has been an increased anomie which leads to an increase in crime and deviance.
what are some of the functions of crime according to Durkheim?
Durkheim believed a certain amount of crime is positive/functional for society.
- Boundary maintenance = crime unites members of society against the wrongdoer. It reinforces the shared norms and values as people unite to agree crime is wrong.
- Adaptation and change = in order for change a deviant act must occur, which challenges norms and values.
- Safety valve = Davis argues prostitution acts as a safe release for mens sexual frustration that does undermine the nuclear family.
- Warning = Cohen says crime is a warning that part of society is not functioning properly.
what does Durkheim argue about too much crime?
he says too much crime is dysfunctional as the norms and values that unite society are being challenged threatening the consensus.
who was the first strain theory created by and what was this?
it was created by the functionalist Merton who adapted Durkheim’s concept of anomie.
Merton states that deviance occurs when individuals want to achieve the success goals of society, but cannot achieve them in a legitimate way.
There is a strain between people’s goals and their abilities to achieve them.
This creates the strain to anomie or pressure to deviate.
Merton argues the pressure to achieve the American dream is stronger than the social controls preventing people from committing crime, so people turn to illegitimate means to achieve their goals.
what are the deviant adaptations to strain according to Merton?
1) Conformity = individuals accept the culturally approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately.
2) Innovation = individuals accept the goal of money and success but use illegitimate means to achieve them.
3) Ritualism = individuals have given up on trying to achieve goals but have legitimised means.
4) Retreatism = individuals reject both goals and the legitimate means.
5) Rebellion = individuals reject the existing goals of society and replace them with new ones.
what are the similarities between Merton and Durkheim?
- both use anomie.
- both assume there is some level of social consensus.
what are the differences between Merton and Durkheim?
- Durkheim doesn’t explain patterns of crime but we can use Merton to explain why working class seem to commit more crime..
- For Merton too much crime is due to inequality in society and strain to be wealthy.
what strain do subcultural theories focus on?
subcultural theories focus on the crime committed in groups which has no financial benefit as opposed to Merton’s strain theory that looks at utilitarian crimes.
what does ak Cohen talk about?
he studied why working class boys appear to commit a disproportionate amount of crime.
he came up with the idea of status frustration. (unable to achieve status by legitimate means)
