Functionalism Flashcards Preview

A2 Sociology - Crime, Deviance, Social Order And Control > Functionalism > Flashcards

Flashcards in Functionalism Deck (27)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

What did Durkheim say crime was

A

Positive for society

2
Q

Why 3 reasons was there why Durkheim said that crime was beneficial for society

A

Generate social change
Clarify acceptable behavioural boundaries
Create social integration

3
Q

Social integration

A

Bonding society against its criminals

4
Q

Why is crime dysfunctional

A

It also acts as a threat to society

5
Q

Why is crime a threat

A

They fall into a state of anomie and the norms and values that untie society become challenged

6
Q

What three things are challenged becomes of anomie

A

Consensus
Social order
Stability

7
Q

Anomie

A

Normlessness

8
Q

When does society fall into a state of anomie

A

During times of rapid social change where people become unaware of the norms and value

9
Q

Is there social order and stability within modern societies

A

Yes because societies institutions have implemented social control

10
Q

How is social control achieved

A

Socialising individuals into socially agreed norms and values and by integrating individuals into social groups

11
Q

Examples of social control

A
Religion binds people together
Weddings 
Funerals 
School 
Community centres
12
Q

What did parsons say

A

Sickness can be seen as deviant as it de stabilises society

13
Q

What did parsons say about the sick role

A

Medical professions perform important social controls and thus restricts access to the sick role

14
Q

Strengths of Durkheim

A

Research has generated subsequent influence

15
Q

Weakness of Durkheim

A

Not clear when the right amount of the crime becomes too much
Idea that crime is beneficial is questionable
Fails to explain why people commit crime and why others don’t

16
Q

Robert Merton theory

A

Strain theory

17
Q

Strain theory

A

The strain between the goals set by society and the legitimate law abiding means of achieving that goal

18
Q

What did Merton say about capitalist societies

A

They suffer from anomie

19
Q

What are the 5 different responses from Merton in relation to anomie

A
Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
20
Q

Conformity

A

Pursuing goals through approved means

21
Q

Innovation

A

Using socially approved means to achieve goals

22
Q

Ritualism

A

Using the same socially approved means to achieve a less elusive goal

23
Q

Retreatism

A

Rejecting both cultural goals and ways to obtain it finding a way to escape

24
Q

Rebellion

A

Rejecting cultural goals and means then work to replace them

25
Q

What was Mertons most significant response

A

Innovation

26
Q

Why was innovation the most significant response

A

This concept explained the material crimes amongst working class

27
Q

Weakness of Merton

A

Does not explain where the goals and means have come from or whose pursue they serve