Theories of Crime and Deviance

Sociological Theories
of Crime & Deviance




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, Functionalism
Durkheim
 Crime is inevitable – it is not possible for everyone to
adhere to the norms and values of society all the time.
 Crime is functional
Two functions of crime and deviance
 Boundary maintenance
 Adaptation and change
o Anomie occurs when the crime rate is too
high
o Society stagnates when the crime rate is too
low
o Therefore, an optimal rate of crime and
deviance is necessary for social change.
 Punishment is functional – acts as a deterrent to others

Two more functions of crime and deviance:
o Davis – safety valve, eg prostitution allows men to
release their sexual tension without destroying the nuclear
family.
o Cohen – warning device, eg an increase in the rate of
truancy from schools indicates a problem in the education
system.
Merton
 Strain theory
 Theory of anomie - developed Durkheim’s concept,
saying it was a feature of everyday life, not an indication
of social disorder.
 Five possible responses to the material goals of society
 Conformity – working to earn money to pay for the
material goals
 Ritualism – losing sight of the goals as an end and
working for work’s sake
 Retreatism - rejecting goals and means and
withdrawing from society, eg homelessness, drug
addiction
 Rebellion – rejecting goals and means and seeking
to replace both through conflict



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