Functionalism and crime

    Cards (9)

    • Durkheim
      Crime is inevitable and apart of society.
      Provides two functions:
      • Boundary function - tells society where to draw the line
      • Facilitates change - not everyone is committed to value consensus
      Three types of deviant:
      • Biological
      • Functional rebel
      • Skewed deviant
    • Merton
      Strain theory - when an individual can't achieve goals through legitimate means (work, education), they turn to illegitimate means (drugs, theft) to achieve this.
    • Erikson
      Challenges idea of boundary function. Value consensus is defined by the elite. The ruling class rarely ever get sent to prison
    • Cohen
      Status frustration creates a delinquent subculture
    • Cloward and Ohlin
      Illegitimate opportunity structures:
      • Criminal
      • Conflict
      • Retreatist
    • Miller
      Deviancy is linked to the culture of lower class male. Status insecurity
    • Underclass
      The welfare state generates an underclass that reliant on benefits, creating a dependency culture. Rejects mainstream values and characterised by crime and deviancy
    • Matza
      Delinquency drift - Deviant acts are choices. They are:
      • Intermittent
      • Casual
      • Given up
      • Exciting
    • Chicago school

      Zone 2 - It depends on where you live over whether you will commit crime or not
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