Back to quiz

6. Quick Recap: How do Sociologists typically define Crime?

  • A bad thing
  • The violation of norms of society that have been enacted into law.
  • The attacking of social institutions - including the legal system.
  • The disapproval towards the criminal justice system.

7. Which of these is not listed as a function of crime by Functionalists (all others are)?

  • Crime informs us of social boundaries.
  • Crime promotes social cohesion.
  • Crime can act as a warning device.
  • Crime can be a way for the youth to progress to adulthood.
  • Crime can lead to adaptation and change.
  • Crime can still provide members of society with careers.
  • Crime can act as a safety valve.

8. Who used the example of Prostitution as a safety valve?

  • (Kingsley) Davis
  • (Emile) Durkheim
  • (Ned) Polsky
  • (Albert) Cohen

9. What can too much crime do?

  • Nothing much
  • Prove Functionalists wrong
  • Destabilise society
  • Destroy value consensus

10. Which of these is NOT a criticism of the Functionalist perspective (all others are)?

  • There are different views of what is 'criminal' depending on countries and individuals.
  • Durkheim is too pessimistic with his perspective on society.
  • Could create social cohesion "wrongly" - e.g. Nazi Germany vs the Jews
  • Crime isn't functional for the individual(s) that was/were targeted.
  • The perspective is teleological (doesn't explain causes).
  • Safety Valves - e.g. Prostitution - can actually break down a family.
  • It can cause isolation, not solidarity.

11. Which of these statements would a Functionalist agree with?

  • Crime is a normal part of traditional societies, but not modern societies.
  • Crime is a normal, inevitable, and universal part of society.
  • Crime is always bad and leads to social collapse unless removed.
  • Crime is not a problem Functionalists should concern themselves with.

12. Who stated that crime could be used as a warning device?

  • (Kingsley) Davis
  • (Kai) Erikson
  • (Albert) Cohen
  • (Ned) Polsky