Unit 2 AC 2.3 (sociological theories) criminology WJEC Flashcards

AC2.3

, Functionalism
~What is collective conscience?
~What do functionalists believe?
~What is adaption and change?
~What is boundary maintenance?
~What is crime as a safety value?




QUESTION

Functionalists also believe society shares social value and norms this is called
the ‘collective conscience’ these norms and values are taught by social
institutions by a process called socialisation.
Functionalists believe everything in society, all social institutions serve a function in
society. The organic analogy is that society is similar to the human body because all
‘organs’ of society work together for society to be healthy. Even crime serves a
function in society (it has 3 functions)…

1. Adaption and change: Durkheim argued that crime and deviance helps society to
evolve. If there is no crime and deviance society becomes stagnant and cannot
develop.

2. Boundary maintenance: crimes can create public outrage which reinforces our
collective conscience (our shared norms + values) and leads to public togetherness.
3. ‘Crime as a ‘safety value’: some functionalists believe committing some crime can
be used to relaxation, the stresses of life which can be beneficial for maintaining
social order.
ANSWER