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Functionalism and Crime and Deviance - Coggle Diagram
Functionalism and Crime and Deviance
Durkheim
A limited amount of crime was beneficial and necessary for any society.
Collective conscience makes us as individuals understand the boundaries between right and wrong providing us with a framework which distinguishes actions that are acceptable and which were not.
Social Cohesion brings together people in troubled periods of time to look down upon an issue, such as the 2005 London Underground Bombings.
positive of crime: helps society change and remain dynamic
negative: too much crime leads to social disruption (Anomie-normlessness)
Criticized at being too vague at explaining specifically what crime was "good " for society.
Crime itself isn't healthy for society, its the publication of the crime committed.
Functionalists view society as a complex system that works together to promote social stability
When approaching the perspective towards crime and deviance functionalists believe that crime is like a necessary evil that keeps the clogs going within the community as it breaks social norms and further forms social order based on the behavior of these deviants.
Functionalist perspective on crime and deviance remains influential and provides an insight into the relationship of crime and deviance and social order.
Hard to distinguish widespread socially accepted values in a multi cultural society like Britain.
Provides useful explanations but not all of their research can be applied.
Strain Theory
Merton
Merton argues all societies set their members certain goals and provide socially acceptable ways of achieving these goals.
American Dream
Willingness to work hard enough to achieve your goals in life
Meritocratic system
Anomie(Merton) describes people who sought out deviant alternatives to achieve these socially acceptable goals - Unequal members e.g the lower class
Criticized for underestimating crimes committed by the upper class and middle classes e.g. Tax evasion .
White Collar crimes
Status Frustration
Cohen
Crime that was committed that had no economic incentive for the individual.
Vandalism & Violence with no theft
He pointed to status frustration from 'lower class' boys.
Frustration of no success at school so they develop a sense of personal failure and inadequacy.
So in an attempt to gain status they engage in anti-social behaviors to gain more status from their peer group
Criticized for Ignoring female delinquency and young female offenders.
Ignores the significance of 'relationships' outside of school.