f theory - 3 positive functions of c+d

• what do functionalists believe about crime and deviance?

  They believe small amounts of crime is needed for society to function and maintain boundaries based on value consensus.However too much crime would make society dysfunctional.
• What does durkheim believe on crimes functions on society?

  He argues every society shares collective conscience and as our behaviour differs from this the more likely you are to be deviant.

  Strong collective conscience is backed by the legal system to punish offenders and compensate victims therefore forming social order.

  Therefore crime and deviance perform positive and negative functions in society
• What is an evaluation point for durkheim?

  He is criticised for failing to explain why people commit crimes.

  
  

  However, this wasnt his intention as he mainly focused on explaining how crime functions to maintain social order
• What is are the positive function of crime and deviance?

  Boundary maintenance

  adaption and change

  social solidarity
• What is boundary maintenance?

  What is right or wrong.

  Everytime a crime is took into court, publicity and court reaffirms societys shared values reminding public of boundaries between right and wrong.

  Punsihment will deter people from committing crimes eg.jimmy saville
• What is an evaluation of boundary maintenance?

  Post modernists argue theres no 'shared values' in society as it is diverse and fragmentated. Therefore the idea of a collective conscience doesnt exist
• What is adaption and change?

  Crime can result in law changes.

  Functionalists believe law reflects societies views so if there is disatisfaction there will be law change
• What is an example of law change?

  After Dunlane primary shooting there was public outcry and it led to tight gun control and Firearm Ammendment act
• What is an evaluation for adaption and change?

  However theres many incidents when public outcry doesnt work.EG. sandy hook primary USA killings

  Some deviance is needed for social change.EG. just stop oil protesters are called 'functional rebels' by Durkheim as they want to better change society in a deviant way
• What is social solidarity?

  After horrific crimes, people come together to comdemn criminal and deviant behaviour
• What is an example of social solidarity?

  Manchester Arena attack - strangers mourn together, vigils and one love concert showed shared grief and strengthened social solidarity
• What is an evaluation for social solidarity?

  It isnt a true reflection of crime bringing society together EG. 9/11 attacks hate crime on muslims
• What is a negative aspect of crime and deviance?

  Anonmie - state of normalness
• AO1 of anomie

  Durkheim says society is based on collective conscience formed on peoples actions but if there is rapid social change, collective conscience is weakened.

  People will abandon social expectations and look after their own selfish needs - anomie. As norms and values no longer guide behaviour resulting in rise of crime and deviance making a dysfunctional society.
• What are examples of anomie?


  2024 protests of illegal immigrants - collective conscience is broken

  Covid pandemic - collective conscience suspended as people follow own desires than collective moral duty eg.panic buy, higher essential prices
• What is an evalution for anomie?

  Durkheim doesnt clarify the right amount of crime needed to be beneficial

  Durkheim doesnt explain why people commit crime and others dont HOWEVER mertons strain theory overcomes this

  Durkheim looks at crimes function in society as a whole, ignoring negative consequences on victims therefore isnt functional for victims