Crime and deviance functionalism

Degradation ceremonies

public punishment, late 19th century durkheim saw this as a good thing, generated social solidarity, everyone watched and put people off crime. modern day application- cancel culture. trial by media.

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Mertons strain theory

consumerist age. categorised people into 5 groups. innovators- cant achieve legit but go after society goals illegitimately. conformists-try achieve society goals legit, even though unlikely. ritualists-give up on goals but continue to go to work, rebels-

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issues with mertons strain theory.

doesn't take into consideration crimes not related with society goals like crimes of passion.

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What is the bulimic society?

Jock Young (2002) society gorges itself on idea of the perfect consumer lifestyle through stuff like media then have to vomit up their expectations when they realise they don't have the financial means to support the lifestyle, this is why some might turn

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who do Subcultural theorists follow

they follow after mertons strain theory. adapt their own subcultural theories.

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Cohen subcultural theory focusing on non utilitarian crimes.

Failing WC kids (boys) get status frustration from school. Form their own subcultures to gain status. Masculine traits, like causing disruption awarded higher status. society norms n values reversed. More praise for graffiti and joyriding from peers than

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evidence that kids failing in school leads to a life of crime.

50% of young people in custody were permanently excluded in year 10. Behavioural insight study.

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Criticisms of cohens subcultural theory

Interactionalists like becker would argue that it's viticim blaming, not looking at the labelling and self fulfilling prophecies that go on in school. Also not every working class boy wants to gain status so wouldn't join these subcultures.

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How would right realists solve this issue of subcultures

Chanel this status frustration into boxing clubs, wrestling etc.

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Cloward and Ohilin opportunity structures (1960s)how is it linked to merton and cohen?

linked to merton strain theory through the names of criminal and retreatist n like cohen's subcultural theory and looks at the men who have failed educationally and societally who gain status through joining gangs.

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Opportunity structures theory explained. criminal.

CRIMINAL-tight knit, family structured gangs. the older members are innovators and order younger members to commit utilitarian crimes, the younger members gain status if they are successful work their way up. the older members get people to do the dirty w

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Opportunity structures theory explained. Conflict.

In areas of transition. Loose knit, inner city estates. People constantly moving in n out, being moved in n out by council so long standing structured gangs can't establish. Non utilitarian crimes arise as there are clashes between the diverse mix of cult

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opportunity structures explained. Retreatist.

Often failed both in mainstream society and in the criminal and conflict gangs (got caught, lost fight)

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Problems with Cloward and Ohlins opportunity structure theory?

1. people can be in both types of gang
2.Matza- men drift in an out of delinquency, often grow out of criminal tendencies.

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Feminist criticism of functionalist perspective on crime and deviance?

Negative as functionalists ignore pink collar crime.

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Crime and deviance functionalism

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