Criminology unit 2 - AC 2.3 Functionalism

What does Durkheim believe about institutions in society

Make us feel a sense of belonging

What is anomie

A state of normlessness. When someone is no longer sure of their role or purpose

What do they see crime as?

Good as it keeps institutions running

What are the 4 positives to crime? Durkheim

boundary maintenance, social change, safety valve, warning light

Explain Durkheim’s 4 positives to crime

• Boundary maintenance - crimes that unites people against society

• Social change - individuals who challenge societal norms for eventual progression

• Safety valve - minor deviant acts that people commit instead of crime that can release societal pressure.

• Warning light - High level of deviance that shows an institution is not working properly. Such as protests against the police.

What is Merton’s strain theory?

Not everyone has an equal chance at success. Working class people are often blocked by poverty and inadequate school, creating a “strain” between the goal society says they should achieve, and the lack of legitimate means to do so. - They would feel anomie (having no point/hopelessness).

5 ways Merton' claims people adapt to strain

Conform, innovative, ritualistic, Retreatist and rebels

Define Ritualism

• give up on success - resort to dead end jobs

Define Retreatism

• Dropout who reject illegal and legal goals and means.

Define Rebellion

• Create new goals and means, rejecting the current ones

Define Innovation

• They accept societal goals of success but find illegal ways to do it - utilitarian crimes (financial crimes).

Define Conformity

Individuals accept both the culturally defined goals and the legitimate means to achieve them, striving for success through conventional means.

What is meritocracy?

Social system gives people status or reward only if you put the work in to get it

Cohen’s status frustration

A feeling of frustration experienced by individuals when they are denied the opportunity of attaining social status. A lot of crime and delinquency could be explained as status frustration

Cloward and Ohlin’s 3 deviant subcultures

• Criminal subculture: Professional criminal organisation - they select young individuals to mentor

• Conflict subcultures: Street gangs - they receive statue through violence

• Retreatism subcultures: Dropouts who failed in legitimate and illegitimate crime opportunities.