Functionalist, strain and subcultural theories

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