Functionalist perspective on crime and deviance - SUMMARY

Question

The Functionalist perspective of crime and deviance is:

Answer

Functionalists believe that crime is functional and necessary for society as it helps caution society about the costs vs benefits of committing crime; it also helps caution society to refrain from being victimised.
Functionalists believe that crime is not necessary for society to work effectively - it doesn't caution people about the costs vs benefits of committing crime - it encourages people to be victimised, as a victim of crime.

Question

Who developed the term 'anomie'?

Answer

Question

Define 'anomie'?

Answer

Where people find themselves committing crime.
Social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values - Normlessness.

Question

Durkheim's theory was:

Answer

Crime is inevitable therefore it is necessary for society to function effectively otherwise, it will lead to a state of 'anomie'.
The strain theory explains the relationship between shared goals, means and values within society.
The five 'bonds of attachment' explain why people do not commit crime.
'Focal concerns' = men obsess themselves with hegemony and aggression which leads them to commit crime.

Question

Merton's theory was:

Answer

Crime is inevitable therefore it is necessary for society to function effectively otherwise, it will lead to a state of 'anomie'.
The strain theory explains the relationship between shared goals, means and values within society.
The five 'bonds of attachment' explain why people do not commit crime.
'Focal concerns' = men obsess themselves with hegemony and aggression which leads them to commit crime.

Question

Hirschi's theory was:

Answer

Crime is inevitable therefore it is necessary for society to function effectively otherwise, it will lead to a state of anomie.The strain theory explains the relationship between shared goals, means and values within society.
The strain theory explains the relationship between shared goals, means and values within society.
The five 'bonds of attachment' explain why people do not commit crime.
'Focal concerns' = men obsess themselves with hegemony and aggression which leads them to commit crime.

Question

Miller's theory was:

Answer

Crime is inevitable therefore it is necessary for society to function effectively otherwise, it will lead to a state of anomie.
The strain theory explains the relationship between shared goals, means and values within society.
The five 'bonds of attachment' explain why people do not commit crime.
'Focal concerns' = men obsess themselves with hegemony and aggression which leads them to commit crime.

Question

Which is the Marxist critique of the functionalist view on crime?

Answer

In terms of rape, it is good as it cautions females about not wearing short, revealing clothes whilst walking alone in a dark alleyway late at night BUT...it is not a good experience for females.
Functionalism does not explain 'what' causes people to commit crime and 'why'.