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Durkheim’s functionalist theory
Functionalists believe that in order to achieve social solidarity society has
two key mechanisms:
Socialisation - instils a shared culture into its members → everyone has
the same shared norms and values.
Social control - positive sanctions for conformity and negative
sanctions for deviance ensure that people behave according to
society’s standards.
The inevitability of crime
Although functionalists believe that too much crime is a threat to social
order, they still see crime as an inevitable and heathy part of society.
There are two reasons as to why crime is universal:
Not everyone is socialised adequately and into the same norms and
values.
The diversity in complex societies → subcultures with alternative norms
and values.
This is why modern societies are at greater risk of anomie.
The positive functions of crime
Durkheim (1893): believes that crime serves two positive functions:
1. Boundary maintenance
Crime produces a reaction from society → members come together to
condemn others wrong doings.
This explains the purpose of punishment - to reaffirm society’s shared
rules and reinforce social solidarity.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 1
, E.g. the drama of the courtroom helps publicly shame criminals and
reaffirms the idea that there is a law-abiding majority.
Cohen (1972): examines the media’s role in this dramatization of evil which
creates a folk devil.
2. Adaptation and change
Durkheim believes that all change starts with an act of deviance.
Challenging the status quo will always initially appear to be deviant.
However, these actions of beliefs may lead to a necessary change in
culture of beliefs.
This is why a little bit of crime in society is desirable.
Too much crime leads to the break down of society.
Too little means that society is repressive and controlling.
Other functions of crime
Davis (1937; 1961): argues that prostitution is a safety valve for the release
of men’s sexual frustrations without the breakdown of the nuclear family.
Polsky (1967): makes a similar point about pornography.
Cohen (1972): argues that deviance acts a warning that an institution is not
functioning properly.
E.g. high rates of truancy could suggest that there are issues in the
education system causing policy-makers to act appropriately.
Erikson (1966): argues that if deviance has positive functions, then society
is organised to promote deviance.
The actual function of agents of control is to maintain a certain level of
crime, rather than to rid society of all of it.
Another way in which societies regulate rather than eliminate deviance is
though demonstrations, carnivals, festivals and sporting events.
These all license bad behaviour that allows people to cope with the
strains of adulthood.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 2
, Criticisms
Durkheim’s theory is vague and doesn’t describe what is meant by too
much or too little crime.
Functionalism is teleological as it only explains crime in its alleged function
rather than the actual cause of crime.
Functionalism ignores the negative effects of crime and deviance.
Functionalism ignores the fact that crime is not functional for everyone.
Crime doesn’t always create social solidarity and can lead people feeing
alienated from society.
E.g. violent crime may lead women feeling forced to stay indoors.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 3
, 😒
Merton’s strain theory
Strain theory argues that people commit crime when they can’t achieve
society’s goals through legitimate means.
E.g. committing crimes to get what they want, lashing out at others or
finding comfort in drug use.
Merton (1938): developed the first strain theory to explain why people
commit crime.
Merton’s explanation takes two elements into account.
Structural factors - society’s unequal opportunity structure.
Cultural factors - the strong emphasis on using legitimate means to
achieve society’s goals.
Merton believes believes deviance is a result of the strain between these
two things:
The goals that a culture encourages us to achieve.
What the structure of society allows us to achieve these goals
legitimately.
The American Dream
American culture values money success and people are expected to
pursue this goal through legitimate means.
The ideology of the American Dream tells us that society is meritocratic
and has enough opportunities for all.
But in reality, disadvantaged groups are denied the opportunities to
legitimately achieve their goals.
The pressure to deviate is heightened by the fact that American culture
places more emphasis on achieving success rather than how you do it.
Merton’s strain theory 1
Durkheim’s functionalist theory
Functionalists believe that in order to achieve social solidarity society has
two key mechanisms:
Socialisation - instils a shared culture into its members → everyone has
the same shared norms and values.
Social control - positive sanctions for conformity and negative
sanctions for deviance ensure that people behave according to
society’s standards.
The inevitability of crime
Although functionalists believe that too much crime is a threat to social
order, they still see crime as an inevitable and heathy part of society.
There are two reasons as to why crime is universal:
Not everyone is socialised adequately and into the same norms and
values.
The diversity in complex societies → subcultures with alternative norms
and values.
This is why modern societies are at greater risk of anomie.
The positive functions of crime
Durkheim (1893): believes that crime serves two positive functions:
1. Boundary maintenance
Crime produces a reaction from society → members come together to
condemn others wrong doings.
This explains the purpose of punishment - to reaffirm society’s shared
rules and reinforce social solidarity.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 1
, E.g. the drama of the courtroom helps publicly shame criminals and
reaffirms the idea that there is a law-abiding majority.
Cohen (1972): examines the media’s role in this dramatization of evil which
creates a folk devil.
2. Adaptation and change
Durkheim believes that all change starts with an act of deviance.
Challenging the status quo will always initially appear to be deviant.
However, these actions of beliefs may lead to a necessary change in
culture of beliefs.
This is why a little bit of crime in society is desirable.
Too much crime leads to the break down of society.
Too little means that society is repressive and controlling.
Other functions of crime
Davis (1937; 1961): argues that prostitution is a safety valve for the release
of men’s sexual frustrations without the breakdown of the nuclear family.
Polsky (1967): makes a similar point about pornography.
Cohen (1972): argues that deviance acts a warning that an institution is not
functioning properly.
E.g. high rates of truancy could suggest that there are issues in the
education system causing policy-makers to act appropriately.
Erikson (1966): argues that if deviance has positive functions, then society
is organised to promote deviance.
The actual function of agents of control is to maintain a certain level of
crime, rather than to rid society of all of it.
Another way in which societies regulate rather than eliminate deviance is
though demonstrations, carnivals, festivals and sporting events.
These all license bad behaviour that allows people to cope with the
strains of adulthood.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 2
, Criticisms
Durkheim’s theory is vague and doesn’t describe what is meant by too
much or too little crime.
Functionalism is teleological as it only explains crime in its alleged function
rather than the actual cause of crime.
Functionalism ignores the negative effects of crime and deviance.
Functionalism ignores the fact that crime is not functional for everyone.
Crime doesn’t always create social solidarity and can lead people feeing
alienated from society.
E.g. violent crime may lead women feeling forced to stay indoors.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory 3
, 😒
Merton’s strain theory
Strain theory argues that people commit crime when they can’t achieve
society’s goals through legitimate means.
E.g. committing crimes to get what they want, lashing out at others or
finding comfort in drug use.
Merton (1938): developed the first strain theory to explain why people
commit crime.
Merton’s explanation takes two elements into account.
Structural factors - society’s unequal opportunity structure.
Cultural factors - the strong emphasis on using legitimate means to
achieve society’s goals.
Merton believes believes deviance is a result of the strain between these
two things:
The goals that a culture encourages us to achieve.
What the structure of society allows us to achieve these goals
legitimately.
The American Dream
American culture values money success and people are expected to
pursue this goal through legitimate means.
The ideology of the American Dream tells us that society is meritocratic
and has enough opportunities for all.
But in reality, disadvantaged groups are denied the opportunities to
legitimately achieve their goals.
The pressure to deviate is heightened by the fact that American culture
places more emphasis on achieving success rather than how you do it.
Merton’s strain theory 1
