Functionalism

Question 1

Durkheim

Answer 1

• Interested in understanding why the social world is the way it is, why it changes, and the consequences of changes for humans.

Question 2

How does society shape individual actions?

Answer 2

• Beliefs
• Moral codes
• Norms and values

Question 3

Some crime is normal…

Answer 3

• Crime enables deviancy to be punished to reinforce collective values, norms and behaviours to enable society to function.
• It can also stimulate debate about what actions should be criminal, which can lead to change (e.g. LGBTQ laws).

Question 4

Mechanical solidarity

Answer 4

Societies with this have common values, and there is severe punishment of anything that challenges it, which is how it is maintained.

Question 5

Organic solidarity

Answer 5

Individuals are different in terms of values but they are still interdependent. So there is greater focus on regulating behaviour.

Question 6

Does economic growth influence crime rates?

Answer 6

Some evidence says no so it is not as simple as Durkheim says, but some evidence does support his idea. However it could be due to more opportunities to commit crime rather than a moral breakdown.

Question 7

Merton - anomie and strain

Answer 7

Anomie occurs when the relationship between approved goals and approved means is broken.
Modern capitalist societies focus on success and socialise us to aspire achievement.

Question 8

Approved goals

Answer 8

Financial success, independence, ownership, and consumption of goods.

Question 9

Approved means

Answer 9

Activities and behaviours that are deemed legitimate and legal by society (e.g. education, employment).

Question 10

Strain types

Answer 10

• Conformity
• Innovation
• Rebellion
• Retreatism
• Ritualism

Question 11

Conformity strain type

Answer 11

Strive for success with available legitimate means.

Question 12

Innovation strain type

Answer 12

Strive for success but by using illegitimate means.

Question 13

Rebellion strain type

Answer 13

Rejection of goals and means of achieving them.

Question 14

Retreatism strain type

Answer 14

Seek to escape from society.

Question 15

Ritualism strain type

Answer 15

Focused on securing existing position by engaging with existing norms and values but less focus on ‘getting further ahead’.

Question 16

Policy and practice - functionalism

Answer 16

• Improving group and individual opportunities.
• Building personal characteristics and strengths.
• Providing role models and alternative support structures.
• Improve community cohesion.

Question 17

Evaluation - functionalism

Answer 17

• ve mechanical solidarity still exists.
• ve there are still outsider groups who don’t fulfil the requirements of mechanical solidarity.
• ve exaggerates focus on making money.
• ve how effectively do anomie and strain explain crimes of the rich.
• ve historically male focus.