2.2.3.2 - Durkheim (1893)

• Durkheim saw society as a stable structure with shared norms, values, beliefs, and morals
• Durkheim saw social solidarity when theorising about crime

  • Most people conformed
  • Rare deviation
• Durkheim sees society as a stable structure
• Social solidarity is present as most people conform and do not deviate
• Durkheim argues that crime is inevitable
• Inadequately socialised people are more likely to deviate
• A subculture of society has it's own varied rules
• If a societies collective sentiments are too weak, it can break down the status quo
• If a societies collective sentiments are too strong, little change is made so society does not progress
• Anomie


  Loss of shared principles or norms
• Crime's functions:

  • Boundary maintenance
  • Social change
  • Warning light
• Boundary maintenance clarifies rules and unites society
• Social change allows progression in society and changes in laws to be made
• Warning lights highlight the problem within society so that changes can be made and society progresses