Functionalist theories of crime

• What do functionalist theories of crime suggest about the cause of crime?

  They suggest that the cause of crime lies within the individual.
• How do functionalists view crime and deviance in society?

  Functionalists view crime and deviance as useful and necessary for society.
• What function does crime serve in society according to functionalists?

  Crime reinforces the consensus of values, norms, and behaviors of the majority population.
• What happens when deviant behavior is normalized in society?


  It starts the process for that behavior to be seen as non-deviant in the future.
• According to Durkheim, when does crime become dysfunctional?


  Crime becomes dysfunctional when the level of crime is either too high or too low.
• Who identified two ways that deviance maintains social order?

  Albert Cohen identified two ways that deviance maintains social order.
• What are the two ways Cohen identified that deviance maintains social order?

  Deviance provides a key valve for releasing tension and acts as a warning device for emerging social problems.
• What did Robert Merton conclude about individuals and cultural goals?


  Merton concluded that the vast majority of individuals share the same goals but do not have equal access to the means of achieving those goals.
• What are the main cultural goals identified by Merton in American society?

  The main cultural goals are success and wealth.
• What is strain theory according to Merton?

  Strain theory suggests that when individuals fail to achieve society's cultural goals due to factors beyond their control, it leads to deviant behavior.
• How many adaptations to strain did Merton identify?


  Merton identified five adaptations to strain.
• What does it mean to conform in Merton's adaptations to strain?

  Conforming means individuals still try to achieve cultural goals through legitimate means.
• What does innovating mean in Merton's adaptations to strain?

  Innovating means finding alternative and deviant means of reaching success and wealth.
• What does retreating mean in Merton's adaptations to strain?

  Retreating means rejecting both the cultural goals and the means of achieving them.
• What does rebelling mean in Merton's adaptations to strain?

  Rebelling means engaging in protest and revolution to try to change society.
• What is differential association theory?


  Differential association theory states that deviance is learned from others through association.
• Who proposed the differential association theory?

  Edwin Sutherland proposed the differential association theory.
• How can deviant attitudes and techniques be passed on according to differential association theory?

  They can be passed on through association with other deviants, such as family, friends, or gangs.
• What did Cohen say about working-class boys and status frustration?

  Cohen said that working-class boys experience status frustration due to a lack of opportunities to succeed in society.
• What is the result of status frustration according to Cohen?

  Status frustration leads to discontent and the formation of groups with alternative values for achieving status.
• Who combined Merton's ideas with Cohen's to identify three subcultures that lead to deviance?

  Cloward and Ohlin combined Merton's ideas with Cohen's.
• What are the two types of opportunity structures identified by Cloward and Ohlin?

  The two types are legitimate opportunity structures and illegitimate opportunity structures.
• What do Cloward and Ohlin say about access to legitimate opportunity structures?

  They argue that access to legitimate opportunity structures can be unequal.
• What is a criminal subculture according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  A criminal subculture is where young people can be taught criminal behavior by adults.
• What is a conflict subculture according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  A conflict subculture is formed in areas without an established criminal culture, leading to non-utilitarian crimes like violence or vandalism.
• What is a retreatist subculture according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  A retreatist subculture consists of individuals who have failed in both legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structures and turn to drugs or alcohol.
• What criticism do subcultural theories face regarding aspirations for success?

  They assume that the majority of people aspire to mainstream goals of success and wealth.
• What do Taylor, Walton, and Young argue about deviant groups?

  They point to deviant groups, such as hippies, who do not share mainstream goals of success.
• What is a limitation of subcultural theories regarding the overlap of subcultures?

  Subcultural theories often assume there is no overlap between different types of subcultures.
• What are Merton's five adaptations to strain?

  1. Conformity: Trying to achieve goals through legitimate means.
  2. Innovation: Finding alternative, often deviant means to achieve goals.
  3. Ritualism: Abandoning the goals but continuing to adhere to the means.
  4. Retreatism: Rejecting both the goals and the means.
  5. Rebellion: Rejecting and attempting to change the societal goals and means.
• What are Cloward and Ohlin's three subcultures that lead to deviance?

  1. Criminal subculture: Focused on learning criminal behavior from adults.
  2. Conflict subculture: Engaging in non-utilitarian crimes like violence or vandalism.
  3. Retreatist subculture: Individuals retreat from society and turn to drugs or alcohol.
• What are the warm-up questions related to functionalist theories of crime?

  1. Why did Merton think people contested crime?
  2. What are Merton's five adaptations to strain?
  3. What is meant by status frustration?
• What is the exam question related to functionalist theories of crime?

  How might Albert Cohen and Cloward and Ohlin explain deviance? Outline three ways.