Functionalism, Strain and Subcultural Theories

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How do functionalists view crime and deviance?
It is inevitable and can be beneficial to society: it can maintain social order and reinforce shared norms and values
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Why is functionalism a control theory?
It focuses on why people are law abiding
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What are the two reasons crime is found in all societies, according to Durkheim?
Not everybody is equally, effectively socialised into the shared norms and values. There is a diversity of lifestyles and values where subcultures are developed that have values mainstream culture may view as deviant
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How is crime functional and beneficial to society, according to Durkheim?
Boundary maintenance: Crime produces a reaction from society reinforces norms and values. Adaption and change: all change must start with an act of deviance otherwise society would stagnate and never change
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Give an example of how society has adapted and changed?
Homosexuality was outlawed in the UK but became legal in 1967 when many continued their 'deviant' acts. Homosexuality soon became accepted in modern society
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What could happen if the crime rate was too high?
Anomie: normlessness
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What are the six functions of crime?
It strengthens bonds by uniting communities at times of crisis. It brings social change. It provides a safety valve and stops more severe crime taking place. It creates jobs. The publicity function brings fear and acts as a warning device for police
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What did Hirschi's 'bond of attachment' theory suggest?
People who conform are those with strong bonds of attachment to their families, jobs, religions and communities which stops them slipping into anomie
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Outline two criticisms of the Functionalist explanation of crime?
Durkheim is too optimistic and cannot be applied to severe crimes. Crime can lead to isolation rather than promoting social solidarity.
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Outline Merton's strain theory
As not everybody has an equal chance of achieving society's goals, there is a strain between socially acceptable goals and socially acceptable means of achieving them
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Why is the American Dream a myth of meritocracy?
Not everybody has an equal chance of success due to stratification in society
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According to Merton, when does anomie arise?
When the approved ways of achieving society's goals do not correspond with the actual situation individuals are in. People face confusion and uncertainty over what the correct norms and values are
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What are the five different reactions to the strain to anomie and explain?
Conformity:Accept goals and achieve them legitimately. Innovation:Accept goals but achieve them illegitimately. Ritualism:Give up on the goals but use legitimate means. Retreatism:Reject both goals and legitimate means. Rebellion:Create a new society
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Outline two criticisms of strain theory
In postmodern society, there is no single set of socially approved goals everybody aspires towards. It assumes there is a value consensus and ignores the possibility the goal may not be shared
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What do subcultural theorists argue?
Some people feel a strain when trying to meet the norms and values of mainstream society and form a subculture as a response. The values of the subculture are likely to be deviant
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Give two ways in which Cohen criticises strain theory?
Merton ignores the fact that much deviance is committed by groups. He ignores non-utilitarian crime which may have no economic motive
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Why are w/c boys more likely to join subcultures?
They are at the bottom of the status hierarchy because they lack the skills to achieve. They suffer status frustration and turn to boys in a similar situation
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Explain the Alternative Status Heierarchy
Subcultures value the opposite qualities that mainstream society value. For example, they mock those with good qualifications, turning the hierarchy upside down
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Outline and explain Cloward and Ohlin's three types of subcultures
Criminal subcultures: Provide youths with an apprenticeship for utilitarian crime. Conflict subcultures: Arise in areas of high population turnover that results in high levels of social disorgnisation. Retreatist subcultures:Based on illegal drug use
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Outline two criticisms of Cloward and Ohlin
They assume everybody begins with the same mainstream success goal. South argues modern crime is a mixture of criminal and conflict subcultures
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why is functionalism a control theory?

Back

It focuses on why people are law abiding

Card 3

Front

What are the two reasons crime is found in all societies, according to Durkheim?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How is crime functional and beneficial to society, according to Durkheim?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Give an example of how society has adapted and changed?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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