Studied by 6 people
What do functionalists believe crime is?
Functional, Inevitable and Necessary
What quotes does Durkheim use to describe crime
‘Crime is normal, an integral part of all healthy societies’
What does Durkheim believe modern societies tend to lean toward
A sense of anomie or normlessness (Rules governing behaviour are weaker)
Why do societies tend toward anomie
Modern societies have a complex and specialised division of labour
This means individuals become increasingly different from each other
Weakens the collective consciousness, leading to higher levels of deviance
Describe Durkheim’s belief in boundary maintenance
Crime unites the members of society is a shared condemnation of the offender
This reaffirms their belief in societies shared norms and values
Reinforces social solidarity
The rituals of the courtroom also publicly shame the offender (Cohen identified the dramatisation of evil)
Describe Durkheim’s belief in adaption and change
All changes start with an act of deviance
Committing crime can allow them to challenge existing norms and values
This can lead to the necessary adaptive changes society needs
What is a real life example of adaption and change
Nelson Mandela protesting against the South African apartheid, he was arrested for 27 years
Upon release he negotiated with the current president for apartheid to end
What do Davis and Polsky argue about porn and prostitution?
Davis: Prostitutions acts as a safety valve to release male sexual frustration without threatening the nuclear family
Polsky: Porn channels desires away from sexual immorality (adultery/rape)
What does Cohen argue about crime and institutions?
It can be a sign of an institution failing, eg Schools and truancy
What does Erikson argue about deviance and agencies of social control
Agencies of social control (eg police) may exist to sustain a certain level of crime instead of getting rid of it
This is because deviance may have a positive effect and societies structures exist to promote it
What are 4 criticisms of the functionalist perspective on crime
Durkheim believes there is a certain level of crime that is acceptable, but this is immeasurable
Just because crime can encourage social solidarity, doesn’t mean its why it exists in the first place
Ignores how crime affects certain social groups more than others
Crime can also lead to increasing isolation in society (eg women staying inside over fear of rape)
Which sociologist originated the strain theory
Merton
What did factors did Merton split anomie into, define them
Structural: Societies unequal opportunity structure
Cultural: Emphasise on success goals and weaker emphasise on whether legitimate means should be used
What is deviance a result of the strain between according to Merton?
Goals that a culture encourages individuals to achieve
What the institutional structure of society allows them to achieve legitimately
Describe Mertons application of the strain theory to the American dream
Americans believe their society is meritocratic and everyone has an equal chance of massive success
however certain oppressed groups can be denied an equal opportunity
The strain between the cultural goal of financial successful clashes w the lack of legitimate opportunities
This can lead to frustration and create a pressure to turn to illegitimate means to gain financial success
What are 3 criticisms of Mertons strain theory?
It is deterministic and believe that all w/c people will deviate
Assumes there is a value consensus where everybody wants to gain financial success
Doesn’t count for non-utilitarian crime or state crime
Describe Cohens theory of status frustration with working class boys
They face anomie from the m/c dominated school system
They are at the base of the social hierarchy as they are culturally deprived and lack skills to achieve
As they cannot achieve status by legitimate means (school) , they face status frustration and reject mainstream values and join delinquent subcultures
What do w/c boys achieve as a result of status frustration
Alternative status hierarchy
Describe Cohens alternative status hierarchy theory
The subculture will typically place emphasise on values that mainstream culture rejects
Boys can win status from peers through their delinquent actions
Describe the key strength and weakness from the status frustration theory
Offers explanation for non-utilitarian crime
Assumes there is a value consensus and everybody values the same things
What are the three subcultures described by Cloward and Ohlin called
Criminal
Conflict
Retreatist
Describe Cloward and Ohlins criminal subculture
Arise in neighbourhoods w a longstanding history of professional adult crime
Provide youth w ability to work with adult criminals learing key skills of a utilitarian crime career
Describe Cloward and Ohlins conflict subculture
Arise in areas of high population turnover, which prevents longstanding criminal culture to be established
Only illegitimate opportunities are available in loosely organised gangs
Describe Cloward and Ohlins retreatist subculture
Exist in neighbourhoods where people have failed at professional criminality
Characterised by illegal drug use
Outline 3 criticisms of Cloward and Ohlins subculture theory
Ignores crimes of the wealthy
Boundaries are too sharp (overlap in retreatist and criminal subcultures as drug users also deal)
Miller: The w/c have their own subculture, they do not value success so they dont get status frustration
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