Functionalism and Crime in Society

Functionalism in Crime and Deviance

• Functionalism views society as interconnected parts, each contributing to stability.
• Crime and deviance are considered normal and necessary for maintaining social order.
• Social structure shapes individual behavior.
• Social order is maintained through shared norms, values, and institutions.
• Consensus exists among members of society regarding norms and values.
• Function refers to the role a social structure or action plays in maintaining stability.

Durkheim's Views on Crime

• Emile Durkheim believed crime is inevitable and normal in all societies.
• Some individuals will always break social norms, even in well-ordered societies.
• Crime serves a function in maintaining social order.
• Crime is a "safety valve," allowing for some release of tension and potential for change.
• Deviance can spark social change by challenging norms and leading to their re-evaluation.

The Function of Crime

• Crime and deviance bring people together in reaction against it.
• Deviance clarifies and reinforces societal norms and values.
• Punishment reminds all of acceptable behavior.

Merton's Strain Theory

• Merton expanded on Durkheim's ideas with Strain Theory.
• Societal structures can encourage deviance when individuals cannot achieve culturally-approved goals via legitimate means.
• Merton used the American Dream as an example of a societal expectation that may lead to deviance.
• Individuals adapt to societal pressures in different ways.

Modes of Individual Adaptation

• Conformity: Accepting both goals and means.
• Innovation: Accepting goals, rejecting means (often through crime).
• Ritualism: Rejecting goals, adhering to means.
• Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means (e.g., drug addiction).
• Rebellion: Rejecting both, seeking change.

Subcultural Theories

• Cohen's Status Frustration theory focuses on working-class youth experiencing frustration by not achieving socially valued success.
• This frustration leads to the formation of delinquent subcultures where deviant behavior is valued.
• Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory proposes that lower socioeconomic groups have access to different subcultures providing deviant opportunities.
• These opportunities include criminal, conflict, and retreatist subcultures.

Evaluation of Functionalist Theories

• Overemphasis on Stability: Critics argue functionalism overlooks power imbalances and inequalities.
• Ignores the Impact of Punishment: It doesn't adequately examine the potential harm or reinforcement of social inequalities through punishment.
• Overlooks Conflict: The theory downplays conflict in favor of consensus.
• Idealistic Assumptions: It assumes broad societal consensus and underestimates the disruptive power of crime.

Conclusion

• Functionalism provides insights into crime maintenance.
• It highlights how societal norms, rules, and reactions can promote stability and integration.
• However, functionalist theories are limited by overlooking power imbalances, inequality, and negative consequences.
• Despite limitations, functionalism remains influential in the study of crime.

Explore the key concepts of functionalism and its perspective on crime and deviance. This quiz delves into Durkheim's views on the role of crime in maintaining social order and how deviance contributes to societal stability. Test your understanding of how social structures influence behavior and the necessity of crime in society.