Functionalist Perspective on Crime

Question 1

Functionalist theory

Answer 1

-Based on the idea society is structured around a shared set of norms, goals and values which create value concensus, social cohesion where society functions effectively.

Question 2

Normative definition of crime

Answer 2

Crime and deviance is any action which challenges societies norms and values

Question 3

Durkheim on crime

Answer 3

Crime is inevitable as some people will always reject social order, it is a threat to social order but also plays functions which maintain and benefit society

Question 4

Beneficial functions of crime-collective values

Answer 4

Crime strengthens collective values by uniting people in shared condemnation of people who go against social order-reaffirms values and strengthens commitment to them-sets boundaries-reduces conflict.

Question 5

Benefits of crime-social change

Answer 5

Criminal and deviant actions can be used to create beneficial social change, for example, the suffragettes used crime and deviance to get the vote for women.

Question 6

Benefits of crime-acts as a safety valve

Answer 6

Crime and deviance, e.g at protests, lets people express their anger in a way that doesnt genuinely challenge the social order ensuring society functions effectively

Question 7

Benefits of crime-warning device

Answer 7

Crime and deviance show potential flaws and problems in society, e.g a high drug use, theft rate etc suggests social problems so they can be solved and dont escalate- maintains social order.

Question 8

Criticisms of Durkheims View-Solutions

Answer 8

-Provides no solutions for crimes-not useful-few practical applications-Argued by realist sociologists

Question 9

Criticisms of durkheims view- Optimism

Answer 9

-Too optimistic-overlooks crime is detrimental to people and society most of the time-majority of crime doesnt have net beneficial functions-overlooks harms of crime

Question 10

Davies prostitution

Answer 10

He argues prositution is a beneficial safety valve-allows sexual expression without threatening the family unit.

Question 11

Durkheim criticism-Oudated

Answer 11

Wrote his theories in the 1900s when crime was less of a social problem-crime rates are significantly higher due to increased population etc-cant generalise to modern day crime.

Question 12

Merton strain theory

Answer 12

-People commit crime as they feel blocked from the goals and values promoted by the establishment such as financial sucess etc-the american dream-creates strain and anomie-people respond by commiting crime

Question 13

Criticisms of mertons strain theory-Non economic crime

Answer 13

Cohen argues strain theory can only explain crime with a purpose or economic motive-crimes like vandalism and ASB arent explained-limited

Question 14

Criticisms of strain theory-white collar crime

Answer 14

-Doesnt explain crime committed by people who dont experience strain like the wealthy elite and large corporations-lacks validity

Question 15

Criticisms of strain theory-wider structural factors

Answer 15

Marxists argue it overlooks how crime is inevitable and the existence of strain is because of capitalism-debated by other explanations.

Question 16

Criticisms of strain theory-subcultural factors

Answer 16

Albert Cohen argues it overlooks how status fustration leads to alternative subcultures with alternative values-looks at interpersonal factors to explain useless crime.