Durkheim's functionalist theory
Question and answers 100% correct
Functionalists argue that in order to achieve social solidarity, society has two
key mechanisms - correct answer ✔socialization; which instills the shared
culture into its members, this helps to ensure that individuals internalise the
same norms and values, and they act in the way society requires
social control; includes rewards for conformity and punishments for deviance,
these help to ensure that individuals behave in the way society expects.
The inevitability of crime - correct answer ✔Functionalists see crime as
inevitable, they see too much crime as a problem but too little as a problem
too. They see crime as a way to reinforce social stability. Every known society
has some level of crime and deviance. Emilie Durkheim claims 'crime is
normal... an integral part of all healthy societies'
There are at least two reasons why crime and deviance are found in all
societies;
1) not everyone is equally effectively socialized into shared norms and values
so some individuals are prone to deviance
2) there is diversity of lifestyles and values, different groups develop their own
subcultures with distinctive norms and values.
The positive functions of crime - correct answer ✔Not only is crime
inevitable, it also fulfils two important positive functions
1) Boundary maintenance:- crime produces a reaction from society, uniting its
members into shaming the wrongdoers, and reinforcing their commitment to
the shared norms and values, Durkheim explains the function of punishment,
this is not to make the wrongdoer suffer, it is just to reaffirm society's shared
rules and reinforce social solidarity.
2) Adaptation and change:- For Durkheim all change starts with an act of
deviance, individuals with new ideas and values and ways of living must not
be completely ignored from social control, there must be some people that
Question and answers 100% correct
Functionalists argue that in order to achieve social solidarity, society has two
key mechanisms - correct answer ✔socialization; which instills the shared
culture into its members, this helps to ensure that individuals internalise the
same norms and values, and they act in the way society requires
social control; includes rewards for conformity and punishments for deviance,
these help to ensure that individuals behave in the way society expects.
The inevitability of crime - correct answer ✔Functionalists see crime as
inevitable, they see too much crime as a problem but too little as a problem
too. They see crime as a way to reinforce social stability. Every known society
has some level of crime and deviance. Emilie Durkheim claims 'crime is
normal... an integral part of all healthy societies'
There are at least two reasons why crime and deviance are found in all
societies;
1) not everyone is equally effectively socialized into shared norms and values
so some individuals are prone to deviance
2) there is diversity of lifestyles and values, different groups develop their own
subcultures with distinctive norms and values.
The positive functions of crime - correct answer ✔Not only is crime
inevitable, it also fulfils two important positive functions
1) Boundary maintenance:- crime produces a reaction from society, uniting its
members into shaming the wrongdoers, and reinforcing their commitment to
the shared norms and values, Durkheim explains the function of punishment,
this is not to make the wrongdoer suffer, it is just to reaffirm society's shared
rules and reinforce social solidarity.
2) Adaptation and change:- For Durkheim all change starts with an act of
deviance, individuals with new ideas and values and ways of living must not
be completely ignored from social control, there must be some people that
