Sociological Theories
of Crime & Deviance
1
, 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
2
of Crime & Deviance
1
, 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
2
