Functionalists overall believe that if too much crime is committed within society, it shall be ultimately threatening.
They see people as self-seeking, who prefer to look at their own interests even if at the expense of others.
This view of individuals can be confirmed and checked through two agencies of socialisation, the law and socialisation into a collective conscience (shared values),
The law is seen as the weaker of the two, whereas learning self control through socialisation of shared values is far stronger.
However, in times of social change or upheaval, individuals may be put outside of mainstream values therefore weakening the collective conscience.
This then means that individuals return to a state of greed and self interest, Durkheim calls this 'Anomie' which is the breakdown of social norms.
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