(1) Functionalism: The Functions of Crime and Deviance Flashcards Preview

Sociology: Crime and Deviance > (1) Functionalism: The Functions of Crime and Deviance > Flashcards

Flashcards in (1) Functionalism: The Functions of Crime and Deviance Deck (23)
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1
Q

What are the two main areas that Durkheim explores?

A
  1. boundary maintenance

2. adaptation and change

2
Q

Within boundary maintenance, what are the two main focuses?

A

1A. reinforces the collective conscience

1B. promotes social cohesion

3
Q

What aspect of crime and deviance explains how the collective conscience is strengthened and reinforced?

A
  • the identification and punishment of deviants and criminals
  • boundaries of acceptable behaviour are clarified
  • eg. degradational ceremonies - deterrent
4
Q

Due to crime producing a reaction, how is social cohesion achieved?

A
  • produces discussion and scandal which cements, unifies and integrates the social group
  • sense of social solidarity emerges as the group condemns the crime
  • people are alerted to their sense of common morality
  • sense of common morality is upheld
  • promotes social solidarity
5
Q

Within adaptation and change, what are the two main focuses?

A

2A. promotes societal change and progress

2B. identifies dsyfunctions in the social system

6
Q

For Durkheim, all change starts with deviance. How is this functional?

A
  • there would be little change or progress
  • deviants/ criminals are often expressing the morality/ behaviour which will be accepted in the future ie. divorce, homosexuality
  • new moral codes will be embedded
7
Q

If crime and deviance serves as a signal/ warning that there is some defect in social organisation - how is this functional?

A
  • may lead to changes that enhance efficiency and morale

- discontentment can be addressed before they escalate and threaten social stability

8
Q

How is Durkheim’s overall view positive?

A
  • makes useful contributions in that it highlights how deviance can have latent/ hidden functions for society
9
Q

Regarding adaptation and change, what is a positive contribution? What is a criticism connected to this?

A
  • some good definitely can come from changes implemented in society
  • he never identifies where the changes/ progress should end and when crime should still be considered crime
10
Q

How does Cohen criticise Durkheim?

A
  • states that the ideas are teleological ie. he assumed there is a purpose to the existence of all social phenomena
11
Q

How do Downes and Rock criticise Durkheim?

A
  • argue Durkheim is being tautological

- arguing that crime and deviance has certain social functions doesn’t explain their presence and causes

12
Q

Crime doesn’t always promote solidarity - what might it do?

A
  • fragment and divide communities and isolate people
  • can be scary
  • divisive opinions eg. terror attacks leading Islamophobia
13
Q

How might Durkheim’s comment that punishments act as a functional deterrent break down?

A
  • if there is no consensus that punishments generally do fit the crime
  • if punishment is too lenient then they might be able to negotiate it and it won’t be a strong deterrent
14
Q

Durkheim suggests a certain amount of crime is positive for society. What’s the problem with this?

A
  • he doesn’t specify how much
15
Q

While he never promises to explore causes and origins, what comment can be made? Who tries to explore this?

A
  • he doesn’t explain why particular individuals or groups seem more prone to crime
  • doesn’t explain why certain forms of deviance appear to be associated with particular groups in population
  • Merton, in his strain theory
16
Q

What is another criticism of Durkheim’s emphasis that crime promotes solidarity?

A
  • he overexaggerates the role that crime plays in social solidarity - celebrations and positive events/ natural disasters can unite people just as much
  • is crime really necessary? should he be promoting any crime at all?
17
Q

Regarding victims, what does he fail to recognise?

A
  • that crime doesn’t tend to be functional or positive for the victim
  • neglects to recognise the victims that suffer horrific consequences
18
Q

Do degradational ceremonies always work?

A
  • no, crime often becomes so high it is dysfunctional, so they’re not a sufficient deterrent
19
Q

Does he specific what type of crime is functional?

A
  • no, he accepts petty crime but doesn’t identify where this ends
20
Q

What shows that prison/ punishment is not a good deterrent?

A
  • reoffending rate is high
21
Q

Should we have to wait for crime to show us there’s a problem?

A
  • no, we should be pre-empting the problems instead of waiting for crime to prompt change
22
Q

Durkheim’s theory obviously has value because other sociologists have developed his ideas that deviance can have positive functions. Who are they?

A
  • Davis
  • Polsky
  • Erikson
23
Q

What did David, Polsky, Erikson say?

A
  • DAVIS: prostitution can act as a safety valve for release of sexual frustrations without threatening nuclear family
  • POLSKY: porn safely channels variety of sexual desires away from eg. adultery
  • ERIKSON: does society promote deviance if it is positive? eg. festivals, carnivals that license misbehaviour