Functionalist view on crime:
Intro:
Functionalists seek to explain why crime exists and therefore do not
address the question of how it can be solved or reduced
They believe that crime and deviance can only be explained by
looking at the way societies are organised socially (their social
structure) and that crime is caused by society rather than by the
circumstances of the individual
Rather than focusing solely on its negative impact, functionalists
argue that crime can serve important social functions, such as
reinforcing societal norms and promoting social change
Functionalism is a structuralist theory of crime: macro perspective
Point 1: Durkheim’s view
AO2:
Durkheim did not see crime or deviance as necessarily a bad thing,
crime and deviance exist in all societies. This means they must
serve a social function for society
Durkheim suggested that society is held together by consensus and
shared values; these values must be maintained. People are selfish,
however, and look after themselves rather than others, so we need
laws to prevent crime. Small amounts of crime are good for society
because others unite to condemn them and reaffirm collective
values. Crime is a problem when crime rates become too high
He identifies crime as being a safety valve, so people can express
their discontent or satisfy needs safely. Cohen, for example, uses
the example of prostitution, where a need can be satisfied without
threatening the institution of family
Crime can be a form of warning that some element of society is not
working well, so that society can respond appropriately and create
strategies/policies to deal with the issues
Crime and deviance can be creative and good for society as it will
promote social change (Gandhi, Nelson Mandela)
Crime and deviance can be destructive: where there is rapid social
change and disorganisation and a state of anomie exists, crime will
result. Crime adds to anomie by destroying social bonds and
creating further disorganisation
Deviance strengthens social bonds: when people unite in the face of
horror, or express disgust, they feel closer to those with whom they
share feelings
Crime sets boundaries: when people appear in courts/are arrested,
others know that their actions are not accepted. This acts as a
warning to others
Responses to crime can initiate social change: when a case is
publicly discussed, then people respond. Politicians can gauge if the
law and the people feel the same way, and laws can be altered to fit
the general view
Intro:
Functionalists seek to explain why crime exists and therefore do not
address the question of how it can be solved or reduced
They believe that crime and deviance can only be explained by
looking at the way societies are organised socially (their social
structure) and that crime is caused by society rather than by the
circumstances of the individual
Rather than focusing solely on its negative impact, functionalists
argue that crime can serve important social functions, such as
reinforcing societal norms and promoting social change
Functionalism is a structuralist theory of crime: macro perspective
Point 1: Durkheim’s view
AO2:
Durkheim did not see crime or deviance as necessarily a bad thing,
crime and deviance exist in all societies. This means they must
serve a social function for society
Durkheim suggested that society is held together by consensus and
shared values; these values must be maintained. People are selfish,
however, and look after themselves rather than others, so we need
laws to prevent crime. Small amounts of crime are good for society
because others unite to condemn them and reaffirm collective
values. Crime is a problem when crime rates become too high
He identifies crime as being a safety valve, so people can express
their discontent or satisfy needs safely. Cohen, for example, uses
the example of prostitution, where a need can be satisfied without
threatening the institution of family
Crime can be a form of warning that some element of society is not
working well, so that society can respond appropriately and create
strategies/policies to deal with the issues
Crime and deviance can be creative and good for society as it will
promote social change (Gandhi, Nelson Mandela)
Crime and deviance can be destructive: where there is rapid social
change and disorganisation and a state of anomie exists, crime will
result. Crime adds to anomie by destroying social bonds and
creating further disorganisation
Deviance strengthens social bonds: when people unite in the face of
horror, or express disgust, they feel closer to those with whom they
share feelings
Crime sets boundaries: when people appear in courts/are arrested,
others know that their actions are not accepted. This acts as a
warning to others
Responses to crime can initiate social change: when a case is
publicly discussed, then people respond. Politicians can gauge if the
law and the people feel the same way, and laws can be altered to fit
the general view
