Functionalist views of crime

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  • Functionalist views of crime
    • Merton’s Strain Theory
      • Individuals strive to achieve the “American Dream”
      • Crime occurs when there is a strain between the goals and the means of achieving them
        • Caused by anomie (normlessnes)
      • Deviant adaptations to strain
        • Conformist
        • Innovator
        • Retreatist
        • Ritualist
        • Rebels
    • Cohen
      • Status frustration
        • Anomie caused from school disadvantagesdue to material and cultural deprivation causes status frustration and turns them to a delinquent subculture
      • Alternative status hierarchy
        • Working class boys fall at the bottom of the official status hierarchy so seek to gain status in their subculture  through their actions
    • Cloward and Ohlin
      • Three subcultures caused by unequal access to legitimate and illegitimate means
        • Conflict
          • Social disorganisation arises from violent gangs
        • Criminal
          • Become an apprentice in utilitarian crime
        • Retreatist
          • Double failures at school and crime, turn to illegal drugs
    • Alternative explanations
      • Matza
        • most delinquents do not remain committed to their subculture and simply drift in and out of delinquency
      • Institutional anomie
        • Anomic mentality -> anything in pursuit of wealth
    • Durkheim
      • Crime is FIN
        • Functional
        • Inevitable
        • Normal
      • Positive functions of crime
        • Boundary maintenance
        • Safety valve
        • Adaptation and change
        • A warning

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