Functionalsit Theory

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

Talks about the positive functions of crime and its benefits towards society.

Social Cohesion - the condemning of a criminal can create social cohesion and a sense a unity amongst a community.

Adaptation and Change - crimes can cause society to change norms and values for the better.

Question 2

Davis

Answer 2

States that crime acts as a safety valve in society.

Certain things such as pornography, prostitution and violent video games and prevent people from taking their frustration out on real people.

Question 3

Cohen

Answer 3

Talks about how crime can act as a warning to society.

Warns us about institutions in society which may not be functioning properly.

Question 4

Merton

Answer 4

Formed the strain theory which states that people experience strain when someone in life has more material goods than them. As a response they turn to crime to achieve these material goods they believe they deserve.

There is 5 adaptations of Strain…

.Conformity
.Innovation
.Ritualism
.Retreatisn
.Rebellion

Question 5

Cohen

Answer 5

Talks about subcultures and found that working class boys will join deviant subcultures due to the lack of opportunities in their life. He states they suffer status frustration and in response join the use groups which promote crime and deviance.

Question 6

Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 6

Combined Merton and Cohens ideas. Came up with 3 different subcultures which encourage different types of crime and deviance…

Conflict
Criminal
Retreatist

Question 7

Sutherland

Answer 7

Argued that deviance is learned, criminals learned criminal behaviour from other criminals. This is called differential association and is a set of values/techniques which are passed down through association with other deviants.