Durkheim's functionalist theory + Merton's strain theory

What are structural theories?

They look at how unequal & equal society it, what holds together & what causes conflict & division.

Define Anomie

When societal norms breakdown. Such as Merton’s 4 deviant ways people adapt to strain

What are Durkheim’s 4 functions of crime?

• Boundary maintenance - crimes that unites people against society

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

• Safety valve - societal norms that are illegal such as prostitution

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

What did Merton argue

That deviance & crime is due to unequal structures of society

What is the “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.

Merton’s 4 deviant ways people adapt to strain

• Ritualism - give up on success - resort to dead end jobs

• Retreatism - Dropout who reject goals and means - drunks, drugs addicts etc.

• Rebellion - Create new goals and means, rejecting the current ones

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

Cohen’s status frustration

Status frustration is the idea of feeling worthless. E.g. Many working class boys are labelled as “thick” and are put into lower sets making them worthless.

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.