Functionalism

• What type of theory is Functionalism?

  A consensus structuralist theory
• Where does Functionalism locate the source of crime and deviance?

  In the structure of society
• What did Durkheim argue about crime and deviance?

  They are inevitable features of social life
• What are the benefits of crime and deviance according to Durkheim?

  • Strengthens collective values
  • Enables social change
• How does crime strengthen collective values?

  By reminding society of moral boundaries
• Why is some deviance necessary for society?

  It enables society to progress
• What do subcultural theorists focus on regarding crime and deviance?

  • Group responses to societal pressures
  • Independent subcultures of the working class
• What is Status Frustration according to Cohen?

  WC youth feel denied success goals
• What do WC youth turn to as a result of Status Frustration?

  Reversals of accepted behavior
• What is the term for the subculture that WC youth create?

  Delinquent subculture
• What does Miller argue about the working class and mainstream values?

  They have their own independent subcultures
• What does Matza suggest about young delinquents?

  They drift in and out of delinquency
• What does Merton's Strain Theory explain about deviance?

  It arises from societal inequality
• What is anomie according to Merton?

  Normlessness due to blocked pathways
• What are the modes of adaptation in Merton's Strain Theory?

  1. Conformity
  2. Innovation
  3. Ritualism
  4. Retreatism
  5. Rebellion
• What does conformity mean in Merton's modes of adaptation?

  Non-deviant and non-criminal behavior
• What does Miller explain deviance and crime in terms of?

  A distinctive working-class culture
• What are the central characteristics of Miller's focal concerns?

  Masculinity, intelligence, autonomy, excitement
• What leads to innovation in Merton's theory?

  Poor educational qualifications
• What are Miller's focal concerns related to working-class life?

  • Masculinity & Toughness
  • Intelligence
  • Autonomy & Freedom (resentment of authority)
  • Search for excitement
• What is ritualism in Merton's modes of adaptation?

  Giving up on goals but sticking with means
• How do Miller's values relate to lawbreaking tendencies?

  They carry risks for lawbreaking behavior
• What does retreatism refer to in Merton's theory?

  Drop-outs like drug addicts
• What does Miller suggest about working-class delinquency?

  It is overconformity to lower-working-class values
• What does rebellion mean in Merton's modes of adaptation?

  Rejecting social goals and substituting new ones
• What do functionalist subcultural theories fail to explain?

  Middle-class (white collar) delinquency
• What are some criticisms of Merton's Strain Theory?

  • Not all share the same success goals
  • Conformists may shield innovators
  • Focuses too much on individuals
• What is a criticism of relying on crime statistics?

  They are not always accurate
• What do Cloward and Ohlin argue about Cohen's theory?

  It does not account for successful WC
• What did Taylor et al. (1973) argue about mainstream goals?

  Not everyone is committed to them
• What are the three types of delinquent subcultures according to Cloward and Ohlin?

  1. Criminal
  2. Conflict
  3. Retreatist
• What does the idea of delinquent subcultures imply?

  WC youth are socialized into delinquent values
• What characterizes the criminal subculture?

  Utilitarian crimes taught by adult criminals
• What did Matza find about most working-class individuals?

  They don't engage in illegal acts past adulthood
• What characterizes the conflict subculture?

  Violence and gangs in disorganized areas
• What characterizes the retreatist subculture?

  WC who retreat into alcohol or addiction
• What does Matza (1964) argue about delinquents compared to others?

  They have very similar values to mainstream society
• What are techniques of neutralization according to Matza?

  Justifications to excuse their crimes
• What is a criticism of Cloward and Ohlin's theory?

  • Exaggerates differences between the three subcultures
  • Overlap exists among the subcultures
• How do delinquents show commitment to mainstream values?

  By using justifications rooted in those values