Topic 1: Functionalist, Strain and Sub-cultural theories

Durkheim's functionalist theory 

• Functionalism sees society based on value consensus and shared culture.
• Shared culture produces social solidarity, to acheive this you need:
  • Socialisation allows for individuals in society to internalise the norms and values.
  • Social control includes negative and positive sanctions based on the individuals behaviour, e.g: conformity = positive, deviance = negative.

• Too much crime destablises society, but crime is inevitable and universal.
• Durkheim 'crime is normal... an integral part of all healthy societies'.
• Not everyone is effectively socialised to norms and values, individuals are prone to deviate.
• What the members of a subculture see as normal, mainstream culture may see as deviant.
• Anomie are the rules governing behaviour becoming weaker and less clear-cut as a result of a destabilised society = weaker shared culture.

• Boundary Maintenance suggests that crime provides a reaction from society,uniting its members and reinforcing commitment to shared norms and values by punishing the wrongdoer.
  • Durkheim says the purpose of punishment is to reaffirm share…