Functionalism and crime

• Value consensus 


  Society based on value consensus (sharing a common culture) . Produces social solidarity . 2 key mechagnisms: socialisation and social control
• inevitability of crime (Durkheim)

  Don’t see crime negatively. too mooch crime is a threat but it is inevitable and universal. ‘Crime is normal an integral part of healthy societies. Not everyone is equally effective and own norms and values
• anmoie

  modern society tendncy toward normlessnes . rules and behaviour become weaker and less clear cut. Diversity means the shared culture collective consciousness is weakened
• Boundary maintenance 


  crime produces a reaction fro society and creates a boundary of right and wrong . Explains function of punishment to reaffirm societies shared rules and to reinforce social solidarity. Cohen explained importance of role played by the media ‘ folk devil’
• adaptation and change 


  all change starts with an act of deviance must be some scope for them to challenge and change existing norms and values. too much is threatening too little society is to controlling
• warning sign 


  cohen: a warning signs that a institution is not functioning properly.
• safety value 


  Davie: prostitution acts as a safety value for the release Of men’s sexual frustration without threatening nuclear family
• channelling 


  Polska argues pronography saftey Chanel sexual desires away from alternate of adulatory
• managing behaviour

  Erinson argues that crime and devience preform positive function then it means society is organise.
• creation of jobs


  create jobs like police, lawyers
• Criticism 


  Durkheim says a certain amount of crime is needed but how is a certain amount measured
• criticism

  look at how crime affects society as a whole not individual
• criticism 


  functionalist explain the existence of crime in term of function just becuase crime strength society doesn’t explain why its there in first place
• Who developed the earliest theories of Durkheim?

  Merton
• What does Merton argue causes crime?

  Tension from failing to attain societal goals
• What might individuals do if they cannot achieve societal goals through accepted means?

  Look for alternative routes, possibly criminal
• What is an example of a societal goal mentioned by Merton?

  Financial success
• What does Merton call the responses to strain?

  Modes of adoption
• What is a criticism of Merton's approach to crime motivation?

  It assumes motivations are individual, ignoring group crime
• What does Merton's theory fail to explain about crime?

  Why some achievers still commit crimes
• How has society in the UK changed since Merton's theories?

  Different attitudes to crime now coexist
• What new developments have emerged since Merton's writing?

  New forms of crime have emerged
• How does Merton use strain theory in relation to deviance?

  It explains patterns of deviance based on societal position
• What are the five types of adaptation in Merton's strain theory?

  1. Conformity: Accepting goals and means
  2. Innovation: Accepting goals, rejecting means
  3. Ritualism: Rejecting goals, accepting means
  4. Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means
  5. Rebellion: Replacing goals and means
• What is the most common response to societal goals according to Merton?

  Conformity
• What does the innovation adaptation involve?

  Finding deviant ways to achieve goals
• What behavior results from ritualism?

  Conforming to expected behavior despite rejecting goals
• What is a common outcome of retreatism?

  Alcoholism and drug abuse
• What does rebellion seek to do?

  Replace cultural goals and means
• What are the strengths and criticisms of Merton's strain theory?

  Strengths:

  • Explains normal and deviant behavior from mainstream goals
  • Accounts for patterns in crime statistics

  
  

  Criticisms:

  • Over-reliance on official crime statistics
  • Ignores group deviance and ruling class power
  • Assumes a value consensus on success
  • Only addresses utilitarian crime
• Why is Merton's theory criticized for its view on crime statistics?

  It over-represents working-class crime
• What do Marxists argue against Merton's theory?

  It ignores ruling class power in law enforcement
• What does Merton's theory assume about societal values?

  Everyone strives for monetary success
• What type of crime does Merton's theory primarily account for?

  Utilitarian crime for monetary gain
• What aspect of deviance does Merton's theory overlook?

  The role of group deviance
• Cloward and ohlin subculutres

  People start with different norms and value there denied legitimate opportunities for success
• Criminal subcultures 


  Provide youth with an apprenticeship or career in utilitarian crime.
• Conflict subcultures 


  arise in areas of high population turn over result in high levels of social disorganisation
• Retreating subcultures 


  In any neighbourhood not everyone who aspire to be professional criminal or a gang leader so turn to drugs and alcholol use
• South 


  Drug and trade is a mixture of both