Topic 1 Crime: Functionalist, Strain And Subcultural Theories

Question 1

Which sociologist talks about the positive functions of crime and deviance

Answer 1

Durkheim

Question 2

List 4 of the reasons why functionalists may see crime as positive

Answer 2

Boundary Maintenance
Adaption and Change
Safety Valve
Warning

Question 3

Define Boundary Maintenance

Answer 3

When crime produces a reaction from society bringing them together

Question 4

Define Adaptation and change

Answer 4

The crime causes a change in society changing it for the better

Question 5

Define Safety Valve

Answer 5

When deviant crimes such as prostitution and porn act as a safety valve for the release of men’s sexual frustration

Question 6

Define Warning

Answer 6

When the crime acts as a warning to the institution of a problem

Question 7

Define licensed deviance and give an example

Answer 7

Where deviant acts are seen as acceptable in specific settings e.g festivals or carnivals

Question 8

Give 2 criticisms of Durkheim’s explanation of crime

Answer 8

Crime doesn’t happen with the intention of promoting social solidarity

Crime might strengthen society but the victims are still impacted negatively

Question 9

Which functionalist talks about crime is positive for society because it acts as a warning

Answer 9

Cohen

Question 10

What real life example can use to aid Cohen’s point that crime acts as a warning

Answer 10

The Summer Riots 2011

Question 11

What happened in the Summer riots 2011 and how does it support Cohen’s view

Answer 11

People didn’t respect the police and their decisions.
Showed that the police department needed to change

Question 12

Define socially approved goals with an example

Answer 12

Goals that are encouraged in society e.g becoming wealthy

Question 13

Define legitimate means with an example

Answer 13

Legal and socially accepted ways to reach goals e.g education

Question 14

Define Utilitarian crimes with an example

Answer 14

Crimes committed for money e.g theft

Question 15

Define non utilitarian crimes with an example

Answer 15

Crimes committed not for money e.g murder

Question 16

What are the 5 possible responses Merton states people may fall into following the American Dream

Answer 16

Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 17

Define Conformity according to Merton

Answer 17

Individuals accept the culturally approved goals and achieve them legitimately

Question 18

Define Innovation according to Merton

Answer 18

Individuals accept the socially approved goals but achieve them illegitimately

Question 19

According to Merton which social class is more likely to fall into Innovation

Answer 19

Working class

Question 20

How do crime statistics support Merton’s theory

Answer 20

Lower class crime rates are higher supporting innovation

Question 21

State 2 criticisms of Mertons Strain Theory

Answer 21

Only focuses on how Utilitarian crime happens not Non Utilitarian

Marxists argue it ignores the power of the ruling class and how they enforce laws that criminalise the poor

Question 22

Which sociologist talks about Status Frustration as a cause of crime and deviance

Answer 22

Cohen

Question 23

Define Status Frustration

Answer 23

When they lack cultural capital and can’t achieve the M/C expectations of school so become frustrated

Question 24

How do W/C boys resolve their status frustration

Answer 24

By forming a delinquent subculture and rejecting M/C values

Question 25

What is positive evaluation of Cohen’s status frustration as a cause of deviance

Answer 25

It offers an explanation for non utilitarian deviance

Question 26

What are some criticisms of A.K Cohen’s Status Frustration as an explanation for deviance

Answer 26

Ignores the possibility that the W/C may not share the same socially approved goals as the M/C

Question 27

What type of theorists is A.K Cohen

Answer 27

Subcultural theorist

Question 28

Which sociologists talk about the 3 types of deviant subcultures people can fall into

Answer 28

Cloward and Ohlin

Question 29

What are the 3 types of deviant Subcultures Cloward and Ohlin state people can fall into

Answer 29

Criminal Conflict Retreatist

Question 30

Give 3 features of Criminal Subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 30

Provides youths with a career in UT crime Arises only in neighbourhoods with a long standing criminal culture Provides youth with employment into a criminal career

Question 31

Give 3 features of conflict subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 31

Results in high levels of social disorganisation Only illegitimate opportunities available are within gangs Violence provides as a release for young men’s frustration at their blocked opportunities

Question 32

Give 3 features of Retreatist Subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 32

Happens in Any neighbourhood Based on illegal drug use Consists of ‘double failures’

Question 33

Define ‘double failures’ according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 33

Those who fail both legitimate and illegitimate means

Question 34

State some positive evaluation of Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 34

They provide an explanation for different types of working class deviance in terms of different subcultures

Question 35

How does Miller criticise Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 35

By stating that the W/C has its own subculture so they don’t follow the same mainstream goals as the M/C

Question 36

How does South critics Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 36

By stating that certain crimes fit into 2 different types of categories e.g drug trade can be conflict and criminal