Durkheim and Merton PowerPoint PDF

Possible links previous lesson? What is criminal behaviour? What is deviant behaviour? How can crime be functional to the wellbeing of society? Who makes the laws in the UK? Whose interests are reflected? Is the law fair? Who breaks the law and why? Is there a differen...

Possible links previous lesson? What is criminal behaviour? What is deviant behaviour? How can crime be functional to the wellbeing of society? Who makes the laws in the UK? Whose interests are reflected? Is the law fair? Who breaks the law and why? Is there a difference in criminal activity in urban and rural areas and if so, what and why? Is crime dictated by social class? Which class? Functionalism Anomie Durkheim’s Functionalism Merton’s Strain Theory Hirschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’  Intent Outline anomie and atrophy in society (last lesson) Identify and apply the key features of the following theories: Durkheim’s functionalism (last lesson) Merton’s Strain Theory Hirschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’ theory Outline further theories within functionalism (next lesson) Analyse theories within contemporary society Evaluate each theory for strengths and weaknesses in their application to modern society  Crime is functional Reinforces Value Consensus & Social Solidarity People’s behaviour is governed by POSITIVE & NEGATIVE SACTIONS (rewards & punishments). When people commit crime they are punished. This reminds everyone about ‘rights & wrongs’ and how people should behave for the greater good of society. Breakdown of Social Norms When people experience inequality and barriers to life-chances they begin to experience ANOMIE, leading to deviant and/or criminal behaviour… http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=h6p4itkdLi8 http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=3RVHDlPqZWE http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=h9Gt16FIDjs  Safety Valve Cohen (1961) suggested that deviance allows people to ‘Let off Steam’ in a relatively harmless way. This allows people to de-stress (and remain functional). Cohen used the example of prostitution as a release that allowed for sexual expression.  Why does Crime occur in the first place? Anomie & Atrophy Anomie, and the resulting deviant behaviour, breaks down Social Solidarity and weakens Value Consensus. This is described as the ATROPHY (erosion) of societies Norms & Values. ATROPHY is therefore dysfunctional if it occurs on a large scale. Deviants are those that experience ANOMIE and as a result go against society’s Value Consensus. Deviants therefore are somehow ‘different’ to ‘normal’ people.  Functionalist Theory and Crime Emile EmileDurkheim Durkheim (1858-1917, (1858-1917, pictured picturedleft) left) was wasthe thefirst first sociologist sociologist to tostudy studycrime crime and andsignificantly significantlyinfluenced influencedthethe functionalist functionalist theory theory that that would wouldfollow. follow. Durkheim Durkheim saw sawcrime crimeasasaaparticular particular problem problem of of modernity modernity (the (thetransformation transformation into intoan anindustrialised industrialisedsociety) society) He Hefelt felt an anunderstanding understandingofof crime crimeand anddeviance deviancewas was essential essentialininorder order to tounderstand understandhowhowsociety societyfunctioned. functioned.  Sociological Implications If there are core values in society it has implications for how crime and deviance is researched and studied. Using this model, sociologists must explain why only some people act in a deviant manner. It focuses on how dysfunctional behaviour within social institutions (family, education mass media, religion etc..) make some people into criminals/deviants - people who conform have  The ‘normative’ approach Functionalism provides a normative definition of crime and deviance. That means – it is action which consists of a violation of social norms. It presents an image of society in which exist shared norms and values. The deviant is the person who breaks these shared norms and values. Fundamental to the functionalist philosophy is the idea that society is underpinned by consensus. Durkheim claims that society shares a set of ‘core values’ (ie the collective conscience). The more behaviour deviates from these core values the more likely such behaviour is seen as ‘deviant’  Crime is Functional Crime is functional for society. Boundaries of acceptable behaviours are made known by the arrest of those who transgress/break the rules. Strengthens social bonds between people and reaffirms values when they are drawn together by horrific crimes. Public opinion on crime acts like a gauge and can cause change in the law (eg Megan’s law-USA and Sarah's Law-UK)  Crime is Inevitable It is impossible for everyone to be equally committed to the norms and values to society. “Even in a society of saints a distinction would be made between what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.” “Because there are differences between people, there will always be those who step over the boundary of acceptable behaviour.”  Crime is Normal There is no society where there is no crime. Abnormal levels of crime occur in times of social upheaval – the power of the collective conscience is weakened and a state of anomie develops as people look after their own interests rather than respecting their neighbours. Individualism can therefore be seen as a source of crime and\or deviance.  Crime Linked to Social Change In Intimes timesofof social socialchange change individuals individualsmaymaybecome becomeunsure unsure of of prevailing prevailingnorms normsand andrules rules They They are areconsequently consequentlymore moreat at risk riskof of breaking breakingthem. them. There Thereisisaaweaker weaker collective collective conscience conscienceof of shared sharedvalues values to toguide guideactions. actions. Durkheim Durkheim saw sawAnomie Anomieexpressed expressednot not just just through throughcrime, crime, but but also alsoby bysuicide, suicide, marital maritalbreakdown, breakdown, and andindustrial industrialdisputes. disputes.  Durkheim identified 2 types of crime in society: Positive side: Helps society change and remain dynamic. Crime is necessary for all societies. Reaffirms boundaries – attention is raised towards deviant behaviour. Changing values – societal attitudes change and these may be reflected in changes to the law (cannabis use.) Social cohesion – reaction to crime can bring communities together. (‘collective efficacy’)  Negative side: Too much crime leads to social disruption. Anomie: when the collective conscience is disrupted or weakened and social values are compromised for individual gain. Only through reinstating collective conscience is anomie dissolved.  Critique of Durkheim Durkheim's Durkheim'swork work isisimportant important for for offering offeringaa social socialdimension dimensionto tocrime. crime. He Helinks links anomie anomieto toaaderegulated, deregulated, more moreindividualistic, individualistic, industrial industrialsociety. society. But But he hecannot cannot explain explainwhy whysome somepeople peopleare aremore moredeviant deviant than thanothers. others. Functionalism Anomie Durkheim’s Functionalism Merton’s Strain Theory Hirschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’ Subcultural Strain Theories  Intent Outline anomie and atrophy in society (last lesson) Identify and apply the key features of the following theories: Durkheim’s functionalism (last lesson) Merton’s Strain Theory Hirschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’ theory Outline further theories within functionalism (next lesson) Analyse theories within contemporary society Evaluate each theory for strengths and weaknesses in their application to modern society  Beneficial Social Change from Suffragette and Crime and Deviance Suffragist Movements Martin Luther King Rosa Parkes’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a US bus  Robert Merton’s Strain Theory Robert Merton (1910-2003, pictured left) Robert Merton (1910-2003, pictured left) regarded regardedthe theconcept concept of of 'anomie' 'anomie'as asused used by byDurkheim Durkheim asastoo toovague, vague, sosohe he developed developedits itsmeaning. meaning. As Asaafunctionalist, functionalist, he herecognised recognisedthe the importance importanceof of shared shared goals goalsand and values values of of society society––in inthe theUSA USAparticularly particularlythe the ‘American ‘AmericanDream’. Dream’. But But he herecognised recognisedthat that not not He Healtered alteredanomie anomieto tomean meanaa everyone everyonehashasthe thesame same society societywhere wherethere thereisisaa opportunity opportunitytotoshare sharethese these disjunction disjunctionbetween betweengoalsgoalsand and goals goalsand andvalues. values. the themeans means ofof achieving achievingthem. them.  Strain Theory and the Anomic Paradigm Merton developed ‘strain theory’ to reflect the strain between goals and means with a five-fold 'anomic paradigm‘: Responses Means Goals Conformists + + Innovators - + Ritualists + - Retreatists - - Rebels +/- +/-  Merton (Continued) Merton’s Merton’stheory theoryisis'structural‘: 'structural‘: he he locates locatesthe thecause causeof of crime crimein in American Americansociety society––support support for for the the“American “AmericanDream”. Dream”. Being Beingblocked blockedfrom from success successleadsleadsto todeviance, deviance, as as ‘innovators’ ‘innovators’they theyadopt adopt illegitimate illegitimatemeans meansto toachieve achievethe the goals goalsthey theycannot cannot achieve achievelegitimately. legitimately.  Critique of Merton His Hiswork workbecame becameaa direct direct inspiration inspirationto to He Hecan canexplain explaindifferent different patterns patterns of subcultural subcultural theory theory of deviance: deviance: for for example, example, oneone person personmay maysteal steal(innovator) (innovator) while whileanother anothermaymaytaketakedrugs drugs Laurie (retreatist). (retreatist). LaurieTaylor Taylor described described itit as asthe the“fruit “fruit machine machine theory theoryofof crime” crime” However, However, as as aa functionalist functionalist he he cannot cannot explain explainwhere wherethetherules rules come comefrom from in infirst first place. place.  Travis Hirschi Another Anotherkeykeysociologist sociologist to tobe beinfluenced influencedby by Emile EmileDurkheim Durkheim and andthe theconcept concept of of anomie anomie isis Travis TravisHirschi Hirschi.. To Toanswer answer this, this, he heargues, argues, we we need needtotounderstand understandwhat what forces forces maintain maintainconformity conformityfor formost most people peopleininsociety. society. He Heasks asks the thequestion: question: why whydon't don't more morepeople people Rather Rather than thanthe thefactors factorsthat that commit commit crime crimethan thanthey they drive driveaaminority minorityinto intodeviant deviant do? do? behaviour. behaviour. Hirschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’ He Heidentified identifiedfour four bonds bondsof attachment that of attachment that help helpbind bind society societytogether: together: Attachment: the Attachment: theextent extent Commitment: the Commitment: thepersonal personal to towhich whichwe wecare careabout about investment investment we weput put into intoour ourlives; lives; other other people's people'sopinions opinions in inother other words, words, what what wewehave havetoto and anddesires. desires. lose loseifif we weturn turnto tocrime crimeandandget get caught. caught. Involvement: how Involvement: howintegrated integrated Belief: how Belief: howcommitted committed are arewe weso sothat that we weneither neither have have are areindividuals individualsto to the thetime timenor nor inclination inclinationto to upholding upholdingsociety's society'srules rules behave behaveininaadeviant/criminal deviant/criminal and andlaws? laws? way. way.  Functionalist Theorists Karl Erikson (1966) – if crime and deviance perform positive social functions, maybe society is organised to promote deviance. Kingsley Davis (1937;1961) – prostitution as a ‘safety valve’ for men which doesn’t threaten the nuclear family. Ned Polsky (1967) – pornography ‘channels’ sexual desires away from alternatives such as adultery. Albert Cohen (1955) – deviance as a warning that an institution is not functioning properly.  Functionalism evaluated Demonstrates the useful purpose served by crime (ie highlights inconsistencies within the social structure, reinforces the collective conscience etc..) Offers an explanation that emphasises a social (as opposed to a physiological/psychologic al) dimension to crime. Explains the reason for unhealthy levels of crime which could be altered by social engineering (eg introducing new laws, governmental policies etc..).  Functionalism evaluated Does not explain individual motivations and why only some people commit crime. It assumes harmony and that the law reflects the interests of the majority, in doing so it ignores the issue of power (ie who has it and who hasn’t) Over emphasis on the degree of consensus in society. May result in a pessimistic approach regarding the control of crime (more laws, stricter policing, harsher sentencing etc…)  Intent Outline anomie and atrophy in society Identify and apply the key features of the following theories: Durkheim’s functionalism Merton’s Strain Theory Hiraschi’s ‘Bonds of Attachment’ theory Outline further theories within functionalism Analyse theories within contemporary society Evaluate each theory for strengths and weaknesses in their application to modern society  Conclusion: Functionalist Perspective Crime is inevitable in society as people are prone to deviant behaviour. Criminal justice system as operating to look after all of society’s interests. Durkheim believed societies could only exist if the members shared common values (‘collective conscience.’) Without control and punishment society would collapse in a state of anomie. Anomie: used by Durkheim to describe a breakdown of social expectations and behaviour.  Enhancing A Level Success Year Back to One when we learnt