Sociological Theories

Question 1

How do functionalists such as Durkheim view society?

Answer 1

Functionalists see society as a structure based on shared norms, values, and beliefs about right and wrong.

Question 2

According to Durkheim, why do most people conform to society’s norms and values?

Answer 2

Society creates social solidarity/integration, where all members of society feel they belong to the same harmonious unit. This means most people do not deviate.

Question 3

Why is crime inevitable?

Answer 3

Crime is inevitable because some individuals are inadequately socialised and likely to deviate. There are also many subcultures with different norms, values, and beliefs.

Question 4

What is anomie?

Answer 4

Anomie is normlessness, where shared norms become weakened. This explains why crime is inevitable.

Question 5

Name the four functions of crime:

Answer 5

Boundary maintenance, social change, safety valve, and warning light.

Question 6

What is boundary maintenance?

Answer 6

Crime causes a reaction that unites society together against the criminal, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong.

Question 7

What is social change?

Answer 7

Social change is when new ideas challenge existing ones, they start as deviant, and eventually become a norm.

Question 8

What is a safety valve?

Answer 8

Actions that help prevent crime e.g. prostitution releases men’s frustration which can stop violent and sexual crime.

Question 9

What is a warning light?

Answer 9

Deviance indicates that an institution is working properly, truancy rates could highlight problems in the education system.

Question 10

According to Merton, what is the root cause of crime?

Answer 10

Merton says the root cause of crime is an unequal society.

Question 11

What is the goal in society according to Merton?

Answer 11

To be financially wealthy.

Question 12

How does society want people to reach “the goal”.

Answer 12

Through legitimate means, education, and a career.

Question 13

How do some individuals have blocked opportunities?

Answer 13

The working-class may be blocked by poverty and poor education

Question 14

What is meant by “strain”?

Answer 14

A strain is a problem that can prevent somebody from reaching the goal society sets for them e.g. poverty, bad education.

Question 15

What are the four ways people adapt to strain?

Answer 15

Innovation, retreatism, rebellion, ritualism.

Question 16

How do ‘innovators’ adapt to a strain?

Answer 16

Innovators accept society’s goal (wealth) but find illegitimate ways to do so (utilitarian crime).

Question 17

How do ‘ritualists’ adapt to strain?

Answer 17

Ritualists give up on success and spend their life working at a low-paid job.

Question 18

How do ‘retreatists’ adapt to strain?

Answer 18

Retreatistists are dropouts for rejecting the goal and means e.g. drunkards and drug addicts.

Question 19

How do ‘rebels’ adapt to strain?

Answer 19

Rebels reject existing goals and means and replace it with new ones e.g. political radicalists and alternative cultures.

Question 20

What are ‘delinquent subcultures’?

Answer 20

Delinquent subcultures are subcultures with deviant norms and values.

Question 21

Name the three types of subcultures that different neighborhoods give rise to:

Answer 21

Criminal subcultures, conflict subcultures, retreats subcultures.

Question 22

According to Marxists, what shapes people’s behavior?

Answer 22

Marxists argue that the unequal structure of capitalist society shapes people’s behavior.

Question 23

Name the two types of classes in society:

Answer 23

The ruling capitalist class and the working class.

Question 24

Who is the ruling capitalist class?

Answer 24

The ruling capitalist class or bourgeoisie, who own the means of production (businesses, banks, land, etc.)

Question 25

Who is the working class?

Answer 25

The working class or proletariat, whose labor the capitalists exploit to make a profit.

Question 26

According to Marxists, what are the role of the law and the criminal justice system?

Answer 26

The Marxists believe the police are used to keep the working-class in place.

Question 27

The Marxist view of crime and the law has three main elements, what are they?

Answer 27

Capitalism causes crime; law-making and law enforcement are biased, and crime and the law perform ideological functions.

Question 28

Briefly explain 4 ways capitalism causes crime:

Answer 28

Exploitation of the working class, capitalism pushes consumer goods resulting in utilitarian crimes, inequality causing alienation and fruastration and capitalisk causing crime between capitalists. (dog-eat-dog).

Question 29

According to labelling theory, when does an act become deviant or criminal?

Answer 29

Labelling theory states that no act is deviant or criminal itself. It only becomes so when we create rules and apply them to others.

Question 30

According to Left Realists, what is the root cause of all crime?

Answer 30

Left realists see inequality in capitalist society as the root cause of crime.

Question 31

According to Left Realists, who are the main victims of crime?

Answer 31

The main victims are disadvantaged groups e.g. the working class, ethnic minorities and women.

Question 32

According to Left Realists, where are crime rates the highest?

Answer 32

Crime rates are highest in working-class areas with high levels of unemployment.

Question 33

According to Left Realists, how can crime be reduced?

Answer 33

Left realists propose to reduce crime by making society fairer and more equal.