topic 4

• Functionalism: Durkheim

  • a limited amount of crime is inevitable and has positive function function within society
  • crime is inevitable, normal and necessary:
  • because we are all socialised differently and live in a conflict as we don’t agree to shared values
• Durkheim: social solidarity and affirming social values

  • when laws are broken society is the victim
  • serve crimes reaffirm existing values eg. Manchester attacks, 9/11, George Floyd BLM
  • the role of punishment is important to heal wounds to society’s collective sentiments
• Durkheim: promotes social change

  • deviance helps society evolve
  • all change starts with deviant acts which challenge established system
  • eg. Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, homosexuality
• Functionalism: Mertons strain theory

  • crime can occur when there is a strain between societies goals and a person’s opportunities to achieve those goals
• Mertons strain theory: means

  • the means of achieving these goals provided by society, culturally accepted as legitimate
  • eg. education, employment
• Mertons strain theory: goals

  • culturally accepted goals of society that we aim to strive for
• Mertons strain theory:

  • not everyone has the same ability to achieve culturally accepted goals
  • may accept goals but not have legitimate means to achieve it
• Meetings strain theory: 5 reactions to strain

  • conformity- accept goals, accept means
  • innovation- accept goals, accept means
  • ritualism- reject goals, accept means
  • retreatism- reject goals, reject means
  • rebellion- reject goals, reject means
• Mertons: 5 reactions to strain

  • conformity- most common, follow the consensus
  • innovation- stealing, take matters into your own hands
  • ritualism- content
  • retreatism- run away from problems, drug addict, homelessness
  • rebellion- go against norms