Functionalism Theory - Durkheim

• Functionalist Theory


  Believes society is based on mutual agreement and unity
• Meritocratic society


  • Gives people status or rewards because of what they achieve, rather than because of their wealth and social position
• Ways crime is functional

  • Reinforces moral codes and social solidarity
  • Acts as a warning device
  • Creates jobs
• Positive sanctions


  Rewards for behaviour
• Negative sanctions

  Punishments for behaviour
• When people commit crime they are punished, which reminds everyone about rights & wrongs' and how people should behave for the greater good of society
• When crime/deviance occurs it sends a message that society's social order is breaking down, prompting governments/councils to do something about the problem
• Crime creates employment for individuals like lawyers, judges, police officers, which is useful for them and society as a whole
• Durkheim's view on crime


  Crimes serve a function in society, they are more like violations of moral codes
• Durkheim said that a certain amount of crime is normal in society, as it allows society to keep up with social and moral changes</b>
• Durkheim said there needs to be a balance of crime in order for society to function properly - too little would not help society understand what socially acceptable behaviour and boundaries are, but too much would lead to chaos and disorder
• Durkheim claims that some crimes, like terrorist attacks/mass killings, help to unite society
• Terrorist attacks

  • Paris 2015, Brussels 2016, Anders Breivik 2011
• Crime

  Functional, healthy, universal, inevitable, and relative
• Crime/deviance

  Strengthens social solidarity
• Crime/deviance

  Can also isolate people (e.g. recluses/the elderly who may fear leaving their homes because of fear of crime)
• Durkheim does not actually look at what the causes of crime might be
• Durkheim suggests that crime/deviance strengthen social solidarity but overlooks how it can also isolate people