Durkheims Functionalist theory on crime and deviance
- Created by: Amy
- Created on: 23-04-15 16:38
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- Durkheim's Functionalist theory
- Durkheim argued that crime was 'a normal and integral part of all healthy societies.'
- There are at least 2 reasons why crime and deviance are found in all societies
- 1) Not everyone is equally effectively socialised into the shared norms and values of society
- 2) In complex modern societies there is a diversity of lifestyle and values. Different groups develop their own subculture which may have different values to the rest of society.
- Also in modern societies there is a tendency towards normlessness and anomie - the rules governing behaviour become weaker and less clear cut - collective conscience is weakened.
- There are at least 2 reasons why crime and deviance are found in all societies
- Positive aspects of crime
- Boundary maintenance
- Every time somebody gets taken to court, the court ceremony and publicity in the newspapers, reaffirms existing values - people reinforce their commitment to shared norms and values through condemnation of the wrongdoer
- Adaptation and change
- All change starts with an act of deviance. Individuals with new ideas must not be completely stifled by the weight of social control
- Social Cohesion
- When particularly horrific crimes have been committed the entire community draws together in shared outrage and the sense of belonging to a community is strengthened
- Boundary maintenance
- Evaluation
- Durkheim stresses consensus of society yet ignores conflict and power
- Durkheim argued that crime was 'a normal and integral part of all healthy societies.'
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