Crime and Deviance - Functionalist Theory

Inevitable

• Means that crime will always exist
• It can be reduced but never eliminated

Universal

• Means that crime exists in every society

Relative

• Means that what is seen as criminal behaviour varies from society to society and over time
• Crime is a social construct

Functional

• A limited amount of crime and deviance can actually benifit a society
• Positive deviants move society forward
• Negative deviants punishment reinforces norms and values

Conformity

This is the response of the majority. it means going to school, gaining qualifications and trying to acheive the American dream by working your way up the career ladder.

Innovation

Can take legal and illegal forms. In its illegal form it is the most important criminal response. It means trying to acheive the American dream through crime that involves making a financial profit, i.e bank robbery

Ritualism

This is a deviant response but not a criminal response. It is when you give up on the American dream.

Retreatism

This is when you give up on the American dream and turn to drink or drugs. This is a deviant and sometimes a criminal response.

Rebellion

This is when you want to replace the American dream. i.e. terrorism.