Functionalism

• Durkheim argues that

  • Not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments or values & beliefs.
  • Crime is considered to be functional and only becomes dysfunctional when the rate of it is high or low.
• Crime is a part of a healthy, functioning society.
• Functionalism is a structural theory as it focuses on the structure of society and

  how its organised.
• Durkheim sees society as a stable structure based on shared norms, values & beliefs about what is right & wrong. This produces social solidarity / integration where all members of society feel they belong to the same harmonious unit.
• Most people conform to society’s shared norms and values & don’t deviate. Crime is an inevitable part of society as some individuals will be inadequately socialised and likely to deviate.
• Functions of crime 1/4

  • Boundary maintenance - crime produces a reaction that unites society’s members against the criminal, reminding them of the boundary between right and wrong.
• Functions of crime 2/4

  • Social change - for society to progress, individuals with new ideas must challenge the existing norms and values. At first this will be seen as deviant eg. OUTRAGE! campaign.
• Functions of crime 3/4

  • safety valve - society can be frustrating - low level crime helps release this excess energy. Davis argues prostitution acts to release men's sexual frustrations without threatening their family.
• Functions of crime 4/4

  • warning light - deviance indicates that an institution isn’t functioning properly. eg high truancy rates could indicate problems with the education system.