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Functionalist theory - Coggle Diagram
Functionalist theory
Evaluation of Durkheim
Says there needs to be crime but not how much is the right amount, goes against positivist view
Just as crime has a function, doesnt mean crime is created to advance with the intention of strengthening solidarity (not why crime exists in the first place)
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Crime sentences are not always relating to collective sentiments, Marxists argue boundaries drawn up with ruling class instead
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Durkheim
- Durkheim's function of deviance
- You get higher levels of crime in more advanced, modern societies, increases in modernity
Modern society:
- pre-modern, all homogeneity in community, so deviance was a huge threat, so any threat was a threat to all of society so harsh punishments
- modern societies, specialised division of labour, all different things, no more hegemony, causes deviance, anominity in urban settings
Social integration & regulation:
- hard to ensure everyone integrated & regulated
- less regulated & integrated are more deviant as less committed to value consensus
Anomie
(norms are lost)
- greater tendency towards anomie with this modern society
- can also be more likely with political problems etc
Functionalists see too much crime as destabilising society, but they also see crime as inevitable and universal, every society has some crime & deviance (due to not socialised & modern societies)
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Kingsley Davis
Safety valve:
- deviance allows people to let off steam & get it out their system
Evidence
prostitution
- exists in all societies & times
- Davis says allows sexual steam to be let off
- mainly serving function of married men
- can do it secretly, keeps marriages stable, keeps males role model, releases male sexual tension, keeps family intact
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