Functions of Crime
- Created by: Hollymurray99
- Created on: 06-12-17 14:17
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- Functionalists Perspective on Crime
- Social Control
- Most sociological theories of crime aim to explain why particular social groups commit crime.
- Some focus on ‘social control’ and look at why most people don’t commit crime.
- Theories of social control examine the process of persuading + enforcing conformity to cultural values, norms + laws.
- Mechanical solidarity
- Durkheim argued traditional societies had little crime and deviance due to strong social controls.
- He saw traditional societies as underpinned by mechanical solidarity: agencies socialise members into clear consensus faced severe + public punishments individuality was regarded as deviant.
- Organic solidarity
- Agencies less influential + members of society are exposed to ideas that challenge traditional + authority.
- No longer clear agreement about what is right + wrong behaviour.
- Formally deviant acts become socially acceptable punishments grow weaker + no longer deter.
- Crime has risen due to weakening social controls which has undermined consensus + led to deter/socially control people from committing criminal/deviant acts.
- Evaluation of Durkheim
- Anomie has been very influential + inspired range of theories of crime e.g. Robert Merton + Albert Cohen.
- Marxists argue crime caused by inequality + conflict Durkheim effects of crime on victims. E.g. how does **** benefit society?
- Marxists argue Durkheim neglects role of powerful in shaping/fixing consensus about crime so activities not defined as criminal.
- Functions of Crime
- 1.Boundary Maintenance - Punishment reaffirms value consensus + public faith in social controls. Boundary between acceptable + deviant behaviour is clear, discouraging offending.
- 2.Functional Rebellion - Some ‘deviance’ may enable much-needed social change e.g. suffragettes.Horrific crimes (e.g. terrorism) may create public outrage + draw diverse communities closer together.
- 3.Social Cohesion - Horrific crimes (e.g. terrorism) may create public outrage + draw diverse communities closer together.
- 4.Early Warning System - Deviance may act as a warning that a social institution is not working + needs changing.
- 5.Safety Valve - Some functionalists argue relatively minor crimes may act as a safety valve because they prevent more serious crimes.
- Social Control
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