2.3 Functionalism & Crime

Value Consensus

General agreement across a society on a set of values

Structural Theory

Looks at society as a whole (Macro approach)

Inevitable

The idea that some level of crime is always going to happen in society

Boundary Maintenance

Crime unites society by punishing an offender and reaffirming shared rules

Strain Theory

Merton's theory that deviance occurs when a society does not give all its members equal ability to achieve socially acceptable goals

Anomie

A sense of normlessness and despair that arises when we can no longer understand societies goals

Innovation

When crime and deviance arises because people still want to fulfill societies goals (e.g. obtain wealth), but do it through illegitimate means

Hollywood Hills Burglars

A group of offenders who suffered from Strain, as they wanted to become celebrates without doing the hard work

Subculture

A distinctive sets of norms and values that provide an alternative to mainstream culture

Non-Utilitarian Crimes

Crimes where there is no financial gain

Status Frustration

People feel worthless if they can't achieve cultural goals, so seek alternative means of gaining status

Retreatist Subcultures

Deviants who drop out of society and abuse alcohol or drugs