2.3 Functionalist Theories of Crime

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    Paulina

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    • How do they functionalists view crime?
      Society has shared norms and values and that there is a shared value consensus amongst individuals. This consensus binds people together which in turn creates social harmony and members of society feel they belong to the same harmonious unit.
      Crime is inevitable and people in society will break the shared norms and values.
      When these do not property transmit the shared norms society has agreed on, crime occurs.
      This then results in the shared rules of behaviour becoming less clear which is known as anomie.
    • Anomie?

      Occurs when there is a breakdown of social norms, and often occurs when social norms are weakened.
    • Positive functions of crime?

      Crime serves a positive function for society and helps prevent the full breakdown of norms.
    • Boundary Maintenance?

      Crime actually strengthens social harmony as it produces a reaction from society. This unites them in the condemnation of the wrongdoers and reinforces their commitments to society and even strengthens their shared norms and values.
    • Adaption and Change?

      Deviance often encourages social change. By going against and pushing the boundaries of society, society can reflect and change.
    • Safety Valve?

      Some crimes can prevent worse crime and therefore benefit society. For example, prostitution allows for the release of mens sexual functions and prevents worse, more serious crimes such as rape.
    • Warning Sign?

      If crime is occurring in society, this is a warning sign that something in society is not functioning correctly, and society needs intervention.
    • Weakness - Functionalism?

      Criticised for being too deterministic, and suggests we are simply controlled by society and its norms and values, instead of having free will and control over our own actions.
    • Weakness 2 - Functionalism?

      Crime is necessary for society and serves a positive function, it doesnt state exactly how much crime is needed for society to be healthy, suggesting this theory is incomplete.
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