Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods
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Summary Functionalist Theories of Crime
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Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods
Institution
AQA
This summary discusses Functionalist perspectives on the causes of crime with notes on 'Strain Theory' and the idea that crime is beneficial to society. Alongside this, it goes into the responses to crime according to Functionalists
Unit 4 SCLY4 - Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods; Stratification and Differentiation with Theory and Methods
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Functionalist Theories of Crime
Structural theory – people are forced into crime.
Consensus theory – crime and deviance contribute to creating agreement in society.
Macro – look at the functions of crime and deviance for the whole of society.
Crime statistics are social facts – i.e., crime statistics show the truth about crime in society.
Durkheim (1893) believes that some crime is vital to keep society in order, as it perform positive
functions. However, too much crime can be dysfunctional for society. The amount of crime is the
most important factor- he doesn’t explain why people commit crime!
Reasons crime and deviance are positive for society – boundary maintenance
1) It marks out the boundaries of acceptable behaviour in society – Durkheim believed that in
society we share norms and values (the collective conscience). We all agree generally on
what is right and wrong. Every time someone is arrested by the police goes to court, and
then is punished, it makes it clear to everyone that this behaviour is not acceptable.
2) It reinforces the boundaries of acceptable behaviour – there is a lot of publicity about crime
in the media. This gives a warning to people not to break the boundaries of acceptable
behaviour.
3) It tests the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and can bring changes in the law –
Adaptation and Change. Functionalists believe the law reflects society's beliefs.
Criticism – this is not true according to Marxists and feminists who believe a ruling class
creates the laws.
Another function performed by criminals is to provide a constant test of the boundaries, if the public
expresses dissatisfaction with a law, then the law will change.
Criticism – there are many examples of when there has been a public outcry after a crime,
and nothing happened.
4) certain crimes help create social solidarity – when particularly horrific crimes are committed
it brings people together in a shared reaction of horror, and so strengthens societies bonds.
For example, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and 7/7.
Criticism – it is not true that the reaction to crime always brings people together and it can
lead to more crime e.g., 9/11 led to more hate crimes against Muslims.
Others have developed Durkheim’s idea that deviance can have positive functions. For example,
Kingsley Davis (1937/1961) argues that prostitution acts as a safety valve for the release of men’s
sexual frustrations without threatening the monogamous nuclear family. Similarly, Ned Polsky (1967)
argues that pornography channels a variety of sexual desires away from adultery, which would pose a
much greater threat to the family.
Reasons why Too much crime is Harmful for society.
Durkheim believed that people in society did not naturally hold shared norms and values –people
were naturally greedy and selfish. What stopped them was the law and the collective conscience –
the strongest influence on our behaviour. But, in times of rapid social change, its power is weakened.
This then causes anomie when the rules of society cease to exist.
Merton’s Theory of Anomie (1938)
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