sociological theories Flashcards
What does the term functionalist mean?
theory based on the premise that all aspects of society serve a purpose and are all necessary for the long term survival of society
Describe Durkheim’s theory
- sense of cohesion felt in society
- certain events bring people together and can be seen to promote social solidarity
- all members of society share a collective conscience
- members of society can learn what is and isn’t acceptable through the doing and punishing of crime
What is meant by the term anomie?
if society allows too much crime and deviance without punishment social order can be broken, resulting in anomie, which threatens the stability of the whole society
What is meant by the phrase “deviance as a safety valve”
a small amount of deviance can help prevent larger crimes as it allows individuals to let off steam. e.g. prostitution can prevent rape
What are some criticisms of Durkheim’s theory
Doesn’t explain:
why individuals commit crimes, why some do more than others, why different people are deviant in different ways
What is Merton’s strain theory?
argues that there are clear goals in any social structure and also clear means to achieve goals, however some people in society are more focused on the goal and not the means, so they commit crimes in order to achieve the goal. westernised culture provides an example of this strain
what are the five modes of adaption?
conformity- common response to society’s goals e.g. jobs
Innovation- when an individual has a gaol but doesn’t have acceptable means of getting there
Ritualism- some people don’t strive for great wealth so they lower their aspirations
Retreatism- those who struggle to achieve success may drop out of society and adopt a deviant way of living
Rebellion- rebel may reject society’s goals and replace them with others e.g. joining groups who seek a different type of society
What are some criticisms of Merton’s strain theory
- financial success isn’t universal
- a person may fall into more the one category
- deviance can be communal
- deviance can be a collective response
Describe Becker’s theory of interactionism
labelling can have serious effects- a label can become ones master status. this can then lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. this can cause them to drop out of society, join a deviant subculture and take on a deviant career. Becker says behaviour only becomes deviant when it is labelled.
What are some criticisms of Becker’s theory
- doesn’t explain why people commit crimes in the first place
- only explains minor crimes
Briefly describe Marxism
Marxists believe that we live in a society run by capitalist, who exploit the working class causing them to commit crimes. sociologist William Bonger says that there is a link between economical conditions and crime. Marxists say crime is a rational response to the situation someone is in.
What are some criticisms of Marxism
focus too much on the working class seen as extreme and very far-fetched
Briefly describe left realism
left realists focus on the increase of street crime. young says society excludes people. when people cant afford materialistic items they start to feel left out.
