Functionalism

Functionalism

* Members of society are based around a ‘value consensus’ meaning they share a common culture.

* This works by socialisation (internalising the norms of society) and social control (mechanisms of positive and negative reinforcement) such as law, police

* Meaning the degree of socialisation and social control affect who is deviant. If we don’t get socialised properly then you more likely to commit crime. If low control them more opportunity to commit crime

* CRIME IS INEVITABLE

* Crime may destabilise society yet crime is unavoidable.

* “crime is normal… an integral part of all healthy societies” (Durkheim 1893)

* Due to socialisation not being equally effective through all of society- crime happens

* Complex societies have diverse variety of life and even develop their own subcultures.

* The ‘Collective conscience’ (part of one society) is weakened creating anomie/normlessness.

* Boundary functions- reaction to crime makes people come together, this then reaffirms shared rules and social solidarity. The courtroom and the media reinforces this. – Cohen ‘folk devils’ and the dramatization of the media

* Adaptation and change- all change starts with deviance, first instance is usually described as deviant. Durkheim- neither a high or low level of crime is desirable, too little= society is repressing, too much= bonds between society is falling apart. If society doesn’t allow deviance we wont get where we are today

* Kingsley Davis- prostitution is a safety value (slight deviant behaviour to keep society in order)

* Polsky- pornography channel

* Youths have leeway as a way to cope with adult life e.g festivals

* Erkison- society is actually organised to promote and sustain crime

Criticism:

* What is the right amount of crime?

* Why does it exist in the first place?

* Crime is not created in advance with the desire to strengthen society.

* Functional for whom? Not functional for victims...