A summarised explanation of the functionalist perspective of crime and deviance see. In this document I explain key terms key sociologists and their theories of the root causes of crime and the positive and negative functions of crime. I explain the links between rapid social change and how crime i...
Functionalist Perspective: Durkheim, Merton, Hirschi
Emile DURKHEIM (1893)
o Durkheim saw sociology as a science, that crime is committed
due to social conditions, rather that people being born in
sin, according to the ideology of the bible suggests.
o Durkheim saw crime as a particular problem of modernity (the
transformation into and industrialised society).
Crime as a Modern Problem:
o in the past population was a lot smaller meaning people
rely on others, and had respect for their communities and
interest in their status within that community, compared
to large cities which are much more individualistic and
you’d have more anonymity.
o Larger cities also tend to have a drearier and gloomy
atmosphere effecting the inhabitant’s psyche negatively
in comparison to a more rural area with less pollution
and possibly more scenic.
o In higher populated areas especially working-class
residential areas crime is normalised and often
influences younger inhabitants.
Crime Linked to Rapid Social Change
o in time of social change individuals may become unsure of
society’s norms and values, consequently they are more at risk
of breaking them.
o There is a weaker collective conscience of shared values to
guide actions.
o Durkheim saw crime expressed not just through crimes but
suicide, marital breakdown, and industrial disputes.
Anomie
o The disappearance of norms and values that were previously
common to society. This is common during times of rapid social
change i.e., social attitude toward homosexuals.
o In Durkheim’s view, it is a transition phase wherein the
values and norms common during one period are no longer valid,
but new ones have not yet evolved to take their place.
o Functionalists and New Right thinkers suggest poor
socialisation leads to alienation and anomie. Alienated and
anomic people, lacking guidance and structure, can seem to be
feral. More likely to happen at times of rapid social change.
Anomie leads to higher levels of criminal and anti-social
behaviour. Often linked to what Charles Murray called the
‘underclass’. Characterised by unstable relationships and
living conditions, poor educational attainment and long-term
unemployment.
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