Functionalism

• What do functionalist believe the role of deviance is?


  Believe it is positive and inevitable
• Why does Durkheim believe deviance is positive? (4 points)


  Many positive functions:

  • Helps strengthen social solidarity among law abiding members of society (common enemy uniting society)
  • Provides a safety valve for disconnected members of society (outlet for frustration)
  • Can introduce adaptations of new norms and values creating social change in society
  • It enhances conformity by creating boundary maintenance (between right and wrong)
• Why does Durkheim believe deviance is inevitable?


  - Not all members of society are effectively socialized

  - Within larger cities social control is weaker, less consensus and more anomie (instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values or from a lack of purpose & ideals)
• Evaluation of Durkheim belief that deviance is positive and inevitable?


  -he offers no way of knowing the right amount of crime

  -he doesn't talk about the causes of crime only its functions

  -ignores individual impacts (victims) which crime has on people

  -crime doesn't always promote solidarity - may lead to isolation from fear of becoming a victim

  -if deviance is widespread it could threaten social order by wreaking interpersonal relationships & undermining trust
• What theory did Robert Merton come up with?

  Strain theory
• What does Merton argue affects a persons likely-hood to commit crime


  Merton argues that an indiviuals position in the social structure affects the way they adapt or respond to anomie
• What are the 5 adaptations according to Merton?

  Conformity,individual accepts culturally approved goal & strive legitimately

  Innovation, accepts the goal and strives illegitimately

  Ritualism, doesn't try for goals but has internalised the rules

  Retreatism,rejects the goals and means to get there - drop-out

  Rebellion, Creates new goals and means
• What does Merton say about the American dream?

  The american dream values money and success which is the culturally accepted goal for society. However those from disadvantaged backgrounds may be denied the opportunity to achieve eg. poverty and discrimination
• Why does strain theory result in deviance

  - goals that a culture encourages individuals to achieve

  - what institutional structure of society allows them to achieve legitemately
• Evaluation of Merton?

  - shows how deviant and normal behavior arises from goals

  - explains patterns in crime

  - Marxists argue it ignores the power of bourgeoisie

  - only considered utilitarian crimes
• What theory did Hirschi come up with


  Control thoery 1969
• What is control theory (Hirschi)


  He believes that humans are selfish and make descisions based on which choice gives the greatest benefit. And the only thing preventing us from committing crimes is social bonds we have with others
• What are the 4 social bonds Hirschi comes up with?


  Attachment - to people and institutions, how much we care about what others think

  Commitment - to conformity, can be seen in the time and energy devoted to activities

  Involvement - conventional and community activities, people don't have time to be deviant and can clearly see the impact it has on society

  Belief - the moral validity of social rules, the rules of conventional society must be obeyed
• Evaluation of Hirschi?


  - it recognizes the importance of social control in maintaining a cohesive society

  - it assumes all those who commit crimes have broken bonds

  - doesn't recognize some maintain bonds and commit crimes
• Subcultural theories 


  Build on strain theory (Merton) and suggests that deviance is the result of individuals conforming to the norms/values of a social group, rather than main society
• define sub cultural groups


  a group with its own distinctive norms & values of a social group sometimes deviant, providing an alternative opportunity for those who can't legitimately achieve
• According to subcultural theory why are youths more likely to be involved in criminal activity


  - peer pressure

  - drug/alcohol abuse

  - no responsibility

  - troubled home life

  - hyperactivity

  - learning disabilities

  - money problems

  - deprivation

  - bullying and alienation

  - truancy at school
• Subcultural theory - Albert Cohen


  Status fustration where WC youths face blocked opportunities becasue of social class causes fustration when they reliase they can't achieve in MC world and can only achieve in gangs
• Subcultural theory - albert cohen evaluation

  - armchair sociologist

  - explains non-utilitarian crimes

  - Katz says itd due to boredom rather than blocked opportunities
• Subcultural theory - Cloward and Ohlin


  Sub cultural gangs, 3 types of subcultures in WC youths

  - criminal sub cultural where youths have access to adult criminal networks (material crimes)

  - conflict sub culture where youths don't have access to adult criminal networks and where they live values defense and violence (turf wars)

  - retreatist subculture denied both criminal and confluct sub cultures and focus on alcohol and drug abuse
• Evaluation of Cloward and Ohlin


  - Armchair sociologist

  - based on WC being a united society

  - Matza (1964) believes youth crime is due to boredom and youths drift between different subcultures
• Subcultural theory - Miller


  Focal concerns, main 5:

  - Fate, belief that their future is pre-determines

  - excitement, search for thrills and excitement & emotional stimulating

  - Toughness, concerns of masculinity and prove they are hard/ tough

  - Trouble, WC youths accept their life involves violence and must face physical threats

  - Smartness, quick wit and smart remarks
• Miller sub cultural theory - Evaluation


  vague about who is considered lower class, gender specific and other Functionalists disagree as this implies WC have different values and not value consensus