Crime as Functional, Inevitable and Normal Essays - 707 Words

Crime as Functional, Inevitable and Normal Crime can be functional in bringing about social change - when social norms are unsuited with the conditions of life. A high crime rate is an indication of a social system that has failed to adapt to change. Deviance, acts as a warning device, indicating that an aspect of society is malfunctioning. Deviance may also act as a safety valve - a relatively harmless expression of discontent. For example the invasion of the House of Commons, would be a warning device to society relating to security issues. Durkheim argues that some crime is inevitable, but only in some societies, the crime rate may become too much and, this indicates a society that is†¦show more content†¦There are ways of being blocked from success that will lead to deviance. This is why Merton went on to explain different patterns of deviance. * CONFORMITY: Person continues to accept goals and means set by society, even though failure is likely outcome * INNOVATION: Response when person accepts goals set by society but rejects socially acceptable means e.g. find another (legal) way of making money or crime * RITUALISM: Means and goals conformed to, but person loses sight of goals. Person does work but has no real interest in outcome. * RETREATISM: Person loses sight of both means and goals, drop out of rat race? to alcoholism or drug abuse * REBELLION: Rejection of both means and goals leads to substitution of means and goals (political radicals/terrorists) Cultural deviance theories assumed that people became deviant by learning the criminal values of the group to which they belonged. This laid down the foundation for subculture theories during the 1950s. A subculture is defined as a subdivision within the dominant culture that has its own norms, values and belief system. These subcultures emergeShow MoreRelatedAssess the View That Crime Is Functional1683 Words   |  7 Pagesthe view that crime is functional, inevitable and normal. (33 marks) Within the sociological perspectives of crime and deviance, there is one particular approach which argues that crime is functional, inevitable and normal. This sociological perspective, Functionalism, consists of Emile Durkheim’s work on crime and deviance. His main argument was that ‘crime is normal’ and that it is ‘an integral part of all healthy societies’. This perspective views crime and deviance as an inevitable feature of allRead MoreThe Influence of Durkheim on Modern Criminological Investigation1441 Words   |  6 Pages(Hopkins Burke, 2006), Emile Durkheim believed that crime was an important necessity in every society as it played important functional roles in the maintenance of social cohesion, the continuity of social progress and the establishment and reinforcement of societal norms. He stated that criminality was a normal phenomenon, its influence prevalent even on the most saintly of societies. Durkheim’s theories regarding the normality and inevitability of crime, along with his influential concepts of anomieRead MoreEmile Durkheim s Influence On Anthropology, Religion, Law And Political Theory915 Words   |  4 Pagescriminological thought was advantageous; he concluded that crime is not something we should remove, instead it is a normal and useful phenomenon that exists in all societies, without crime society is impossible. However, criminality changes structure, therefore, the acts that are defined are not the same in all places. As societies developed from inferior to superior, the amount of criminality tended to decrease, this resulted in people viewing crime as less normal. However, evidence shows that criminality hasRead MoreRobert Merton Strain Theory Essay1017 Words   |  5 PagesIdentify the key aspects of Robert Merton’s ‘strain theory’. It was a powerful statement focussing on the social causes of crime but what were its limitations? This essay is going to demonstrate an understanding of Robert Merton’s strain theory, the advantages of the Strain theory and also the disadvantages of the theory. Robert Merton (1910) best known for developing theories of deviance. Robert Merton is considered to be one of the most influential social scientists. 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Many inevitable factors exist at a microscopic level for each street person who was pushed (forced) onto the streets. According to the article, â€Å"Street People† by David. A Snow and Leon Anderson, factors that lead homelessnessRead MoreCrime And Deviance Essay1649 Words   |  7 PagesCrime can be defined as ‘An action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law’ (Oxford Dictionary, 2017). It’s the violation of a written law that is set by society and is known as ‘committing a crime’. Deviance is defined as ‘the fact or state of diverging from usual accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviour’ (Oxford Dictionaries, 2017). To be deviant would be to perform an act that strays from the normal behaviours, or â€Å"norms† of any given society . ThereRead MoreOutline and Evaluate Functionalist Explanation of Crime.1442 Words   |  6 Pagessees the source of crime and deviance located in the structure of society. Although crime and deviance might be stigmatised in society, some sociologist think it is important to have it occur and there are some benefits to it. Durkheim (1982) argued that crime is an inevitable feature of social life, because individuals are composed to different influences and circumstances, and so not everyone can be equally committed to the shared values and moral beliefs of society. Despite crime and deviance’s threatRead MoreAssess the functionalist theory of crime and deviance1813 Words   |  8 PagesAssess the functionalist view of crime and deviance. [21 marks] This essay will detail the functionalist perspective of crime and deviance. Functionalist theories began to emerge after the industrial revolution in the 18th century. This period was called the enlightenment, and brought about scientific belief as opposed to the feudalist beliefs of religion. Religion no longer had such a powerful impact on peoples’ lives. The aim of sociological theories such as functionalism is to cure social illsRead MoreCrime and Deviance 2 Perspectives2744 Words   |  11 PagesCOMPARE AND EVALUATE ANY TWO OF THE FOLLOWING PERSPECTIVES ON CRIME AND DEVIANCE Crime is a word that most of the people can relate to, according to Collins dictionary it means; violation of the law. (Collins 2005) Deviance is a more difficult word to identify , Collins dictionary definition is; people who have diverged from usual or accepted standards of society, especially in social or sexual behaviour. Su Epstein (2005) who has a PhD , describes deviance in cultural societies as; there are no