Functionalist theory of crime
- Created by: Rachellowe
- Created on: 08-04-18 14:22
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- Functionalist theory of crime
- Crime is necessary
- Crime reinforces the consensus of values for the majority non deviant population.
- Boundary maintenance between deviant and non deviant acts.
- Durkheim - deviance allows social change occur.
- If society reacts positively to deviant behaviour it starts the process of it no longer being deviant.
- Durkheim - crime is dysfunctional for society when its levels become either too high or too low.
- Too high threatens social order.
- Too low and there no social change.
- Crime reinforces the consensus of values for the majority non deviant population.
- Merton
- Strain theory
- Conformity
- Innovating - people find alternative routes
- Ritual - people who fail but still act legitimatley
- Rebel - protest
- Retreating - people who reject the goals and means of achieving them
- Crime is a response to failing to achieve societies goals.
- When individuals fail or are excluded from the system it creates anomie.
- Strain theory
- Differential association theory - deviance is learned from others.
- Cohen
- Some crimes act as a safety valve for society by releasing tension.
- i.e. prostitution
- Deviant behaviour is used as a warning device to identify social problems.
- Working class boys experience status frustration
- Gangs provide prestige for adolescents frustrated at their lack of status in society.
- Some crimes act as a safety valve for society by releasing tension.
- Cloward and Ohlin
- Criminal subcultures
- Crime is ultilitarian
- Young people learn crime from adult career criminals.
- Conflict subcultures
- non utilitarian - from areas without an established criminal culture.
- Retreatist subcultures
- People whove failed legitmitaley and illegitmatley.
- Subcultural theories assume the maority of people aspire to mainstream goals of success and wealth.
- Criminal subcultures
- Crime is necessary
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