Functionalist, strain + subcultural theories(Topic 1)

Question 1

Durkheim’s functionalist theory

Answer 1

• Society is based on value consensus
• Shared culture creates solidarity
• Society needs socialisation and social control to achieve solidarity

Question 2

View of crime

Answer 2

See too much crime as destabilising society yet also say it is inevitable and universal with every society having some level of deviance
Durkheim - ‘ crime is a normal integral part of
all healthy societies’

Question 3

Reasons for crime

Answer 3

1. Not everyone is equally effectively socialised into the shared norms and values so prone to deviate
2. In complex modern society there is a diversity of values and lifestyles so develop their own subcultures with their own norms and values ; mainstream see this as deviant

Question 4

Anomie

Answer 4

Durkheim says modern societies are based on anomie ; where rules controlling behaviour is weaker and less in enforced
Due to the complex division of labour making individuals increasingly different ;weakens the shared culture

Question 5

• Positive functions of crime

1. Boundary maintenance

Answer 5

Crime produces a reaction from society uniting members against the criminal reinforcing their shared culture
Explains the function of punishment as its not to ‘mend’ the criminal instead reinforce solidarity ; through rituals of the courtroom to publicly shame them reaffirming laws values + discouraging others to break rules

Question 6

2. Adaptation + Change

Answer 6

All change starts with an act of deviance ; individuals with new ideas and ways of living must not be completely stopped by social control and some space to challenge existing norms and values therefore seen as deviant at first

Question 7

Example

Answer 7

Authorities persecute religious visionaries who give out a new message / value system however in the long run these may rise a new culture so if new ideas are oppressed gives no way for change

Question 8

*Other function

Davis - prostitution

Answer 8

Argues prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of mens sexual tension without threatening the monogamous nuclear family

Question 9

Cohen - warning

Answer 9

Deviance gives warning that an institution is not functioning properly e.g high rates of truancy may indicate problems with the education system ; leads to policy makers making appropriate changes

Question 10

Erikson’s developed idea

Answer 10

Argues if deviance performs positive functions it may mean society is organised to promote deviance ; suggests the true function of agencies of social control e.g police may be to sustain a certain level of crime

Question 11

*Evaluation

Supposed functions

Answer 11

Functionalists explain crime in terms of its supposed functions e.g strengthening solidarity ; doesn’t mean society creates crime for these set intentions as they suggest ( not why it exists )

Question 12

Ignores certain groups

Answer 12

They look at what functions crime serves as a whole not how it affects different groups/individuals e.g seeing a murder punished for his crime may be functional for society yet it isn’t for the victim ( doesn’t make it clear who it is functional for)