Functionalism - Durkheim Flashcards
1
Q
What does Durkheim believe about crime?
A
- crime is inevitable
- not everyone can integrate into norms and values
2
Q
According to Durkheim what does crime cause in society?
A
- problem of modernity
- rapid social stress can lead to anomie (norm less)
- anomie causes less integration and more individualism
- p’s look out for themselves not community
3
Q
According to Durkheim what causes crime?
A
- specialised division of labour
- lead to p’s becoming increasingly different from one another
- weakens collective conscience
- leads to higher levels of crime
4
Q
What are the 4 positive functions of crime?
A
- boundary maintenance
- safety valve
- warning device
- social change
5
Q
What is boundary maintenance?
A
- crime produces a reaction from society
- units members against criminal
- draws consciousness together
- reaffirms societies shared rules
- DISCOURAGES OTHERS FROM RULE BREAKING, SHOWS BOUNDARIES
6
Q
What is social change (function)?
A
- all change starts w/ deviance
- some p’s are deliberately deviant to change attitudes and laws
- PRODUCES CHANGES THAT WILL HELP SOCIETY FUNCTION MORE EFFECTIVELY
7
Q
What is safety valve?
A
- allows minor crime and deviance to avoid bigger problems
- MINOR CRIME HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR CHANGE TO PREVENT BIGGER CRIMES
8
Q
What is the warning device?
A
- crime can be a warning mechanism that an institution is failing
- POLICY MAKERS CAN MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES
9
Q
How does prostitution link to the positive functions?
A
- safety valve: allows p’s to see their relationship needs fixing
- warning device: highlights a problem in marriage
10
Q
How do the Christchurch shootings link to the positive functions?
A
- led to change in gun laws
- banned every gun used in attack
- penalty / 5 years in prison if used
- social change
11
Q
What is a strength of Durkheims theory?
A
Highlights the positive view that crime can have positive impacts
12
Q
What is a weakness of durkheims theory?
A
Doesn’t explain why some groups and more likely to commit crimes than others
