1. Using what we’ve looked at so far try and explain this diagram

2. Functionalism, Crime and Deviance
13th September
Functionalism, Crime and Deviance
1. The Normative Approach 2. Durkheim’s F.I.N. (F.I.N: crime is Functional-Inevitable-Normal)
Durkheim argued that too much crime is bad for society, it would result in Anomie. However all societies need a little crime to fulfill three important
Functions (F.I.N. is a mnemonic – crime is Functional-Inevitable-Normal). Use medical injections to help in explanation – doctors reduce the chances of a person getting a disease by injecting a diluted/weakened type of it into the person to boost their immune system. – Link this idea to Durkheim’s Organic Analogy – Biological

3. The ‘normative’ approach
Functionalism provides a normative definition of crime and deviance.
That means – it is action which consists of a violation of social norms.
It presents an image of society in which exist shared norms and values. The deviant is the person who breaks these shared norms and values.
Fundamental to the functionalist philosophy is the idea that society is underpinned by consensus.
Durkheim claims that society shares a set of ‘core values’ (ie the collective conscience).
The more behaviour deviates from these core values the more likely such behaviour is seen as ‘deviant’
What core values are evident in society? How many/which ones can you name?
Look at the headlines (News of the world I think) – how many ‘deviant’ issues are in it?
Which headline issue do you feel is most deviant? Why?
Marxists and interactionists take a ‘RELATIVISTIC’ approach – society based on diverse NOT shared values – competition/conflict not consensus etc..
Core values – a myth?

4. Sociological Implications
If there are core values in society it has implications for how crime and deviance is researched and studied.
Using this model, sociologists must explain why only some people act in a deviant manner.
It focuses on how dysfunctional behaviour within social institutions (family, education mass media, religion etc..) make some people into criminals/deviants - people who conform have been ‘properly socialised’.
Can you think of any other examples? eg teenage gangs and stabbings, religious fundamentalism and terrorism etc…
Why do such ‘themes’ constantly make the headlines?
Link media headlines with social construction of news

5. Crime is Functional Crime is functional for society.
Boundaries of acceptable behaviours are made known by the arrest of those who transgress/break the rules.
Strengthens social bonds between people and reaffirms values when they are drawn together by horrific crimes.
Public opinion on crime acts like a gauge and can cause change in the law (eg Megan’s law-USA and Sarah's Law-UK)
Who was Sarah Payne? What happened?
Can you think of any other examples of horrific crimes?
How did they make you feel when you heard about them?
Did you discuss them with your family/friends? – Link to A02 points regarding application of sociological knowledge.

6. Do you agree with Durkheim’s ideas so far? Why?
Crime is Inevitable
It is impossible for everyone to be equally committed to the norms and values to society.
“Even in a society of saints a distinction would be made between what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.”
“Because there are differences between people, there will always be those who step over the boundary of acceptable behaviour.”
Do you agree with Durkheim’s ideas so far? Why?
What is a Utopia?
What does it mean to you? Describe your utopia.
Is a crime free society a reality? Why/Why not?

7. Crime is Normal There is no society where there is no crime.
Abnormal levels of crime occur in times of social upheaval – the power of the collective conscience is weakened and a state of anomie develops as people look after their own interests rather than respecting their neighbours.
Individualism can therefore be seen as a source of crime and\or deviance.
Use looting in recent Haiti disaster as an example.
Why do you think this happens? Breakdown of social norms and values?
People lose their ‘moral compass’ as their society goes through rapid social change.
Employ their own rules, not the rules laid down by society – survival of the strongest?

8. The negative aspects of Crime
Durkheim does acknowledge that the collective conscience can fail especially in times of social strain and change. Durkheim called this situation anomie. When the collective conscience weakens and a state of anomie exists, there is an increase in crime.
Anomie

9. Using your new found knowledge on the Durkheim perspective of crime explain this diagram
Anomie
A little crime
Totalitarianism
High crime levels
(explain why)
No crime
(explain why)

10. Task: look at the following examples and explain how they provide a positive function to society
Smoking
Riots
Paedophilia
Public hanging
Drunkenness
Ian Huntley murder case
Joyriding
September 11th bombings
The burning of the poppies on Remembrance Day

11. Functionalism on crime
Durkheim – Key ideas
Crime is inevitable and necessary to society.
Crime has positive functions.
The perfect amount of crime will keep society healthy and avoid anomie (Normlessness)
Crime and society
Society is only healthy when social order is maintained through the police and courts. We need a small amount of crime to remind us of what we believe in. Only a small minority will be self-interested and commit crime.
Positive functions of crime
Re-marking social boundaries – affirms social norms and values.
Media coverage – as a warning to others.
Social bonds – strengthened as we unite in disapproval.
Safety Value – a little bit of deviance reduces more serious problems – Prostitution – Kingley Davis.
Malfunctioning society – theft, drug use and truancy alert us to other social problems in society.
Functionalism on crime
Criticisms
What is the perfect amount of crime?
Explaining the functions of crime doesn’t explain what caused them in the first place.
Murder maybe functional for society but what about the victim?
Society of saints
Imagine there was no crime or deviance, even the most slight slip like coughing without putting your hand over your mouth would become a crime.

12. Functionalism evaluated 1
Demonstrates the useful purpose served by crime (ie highlights inconsistencies within the social structure, reinforces the collective conscience etc..)
Offers an explanation that emphasizes a social (as opposed to a physiological/psychological) dimension to crime.
Explains the reason for unhealthy levels of crime which could be altered by social engineering (eg introducing new laws, governmental policies etc..).
Avoids biological/psychological theories which refer to ‘sick’ individuals.
Use riots to explain point 1 – are people who take part in riots ‘natural’ criminals?
Do riots happen because of some deep rooted social injustice – eg racism?
See UK and 1970’s 80’s race riots (Handsworth, Toxteth etc..)
N Ireland and riots – only choice left for people to express anger/frustration etc?
Anti Capitalism protesters riots/protests etc..

13. Functionalism evaluated 2
Does not explain individual motivations and why only some people commit crime.
It assumes harmony and that the law reflects the interests of the majority, in doing so it ignores the issue of power (ie who has it and who hasn’t)
Over emphasis on the degree of consensus in society.
May result in a pessimistic approach regarding the control of crime (more laws, stricter policing, harsher sentencing etc…)
What motivates individuals to commit crimes – crimes of passion etc..
Does UK laws on cannabis ‘criminalise’ Rastafarians? - cannabis used as religious experience?
What are the implications of the Uk’s anti terror laws? How are they being used/misused and by whom?

14. To examine Merton’s ideas on Crime and deviance
20th September
Merton and strain theory
Learning objective
To examine Merton’s ideas on Crime and deviance
Durkheim argued that too much crime is bad for society, it would result in Anomie. However all societies need a little crime to fulfill three important
Functions (F.I.N. is a mnemonic – crime is Functional-Inevitable-Normal). Use medical injections to help in explanation – doctors reduce the chances of a person getting a disease by injecting a diluted/weakened type of it into the person to boost their immune system. – Link this idea to Durkheim’s Organic Analogy – Biological

15. The American dream

16. The chances and means of achieving such goals.
Robert K. Merton
Durkheim’s had fundamental influence on Merton’s Social Structure and Anomie (1949) theory.
AKA Strain to Anomie Theory
Argues that crime and deviance is caused by the inter-relationship between:
The cultural goals set by society (eg acquisition of money, wealth, status, power in western/capitalist society)
The chances and means of achieving such goals.
Merton's theory highlights the inconsistencies in the American Dream ideology.
Who was Merton? Coined terms such as self fulfilling prophecy and role model.
What do you think the American dream is?
Anyone read Miller’s Death of a Salesman? (eng lit students?)
Why do black rappers wear so much bling?? – Legacy of (rejecting) poverty associated with slavery? Living the (American) dream?? Cos it looks good???

18. TYPE Goal of Success Means Type
Conformity
(Normal)
Accepts
Legitimate
Most people
Innovation
(Criminal)
Illegitimate
Gangsters (Tony Montana)
Ritualism
(Deviant)
Rejects
People in dead end jobs.
Retreatism
Habitual drug user or drunk
Rebellion
Rejects for alternative
Karl Marx, Martin Luther King,
Criticisms
Why don’t all lower class people turn to crime?
Can only account for utilitarian crime (money) what about gang violence, rape and Graffiti?
What about other factors like class, gender, ethnicity and sexuality?

19. Weakness
Merton - Key idea
People engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals.
1. The goals of society – American Dream
Deviance is the result of the strain between
2. Your legitimate means of achieving them
1. Conformity
Most of America not criminal or deviant
Five adaptations
Strain produces frustration which creates a pressure to deviate, what Merton calls the strain to anomie.
Deviant adaptations
Innovation
Criminal behaviour as an adaptation
Retreatism
Habitual drug users and alcoholics
Explanation
lower class and ethnic minorities are more likely to commit criminal acts because of their position in the social structure.
Ritualism
People in dead end jobs.
Rebellion
Karl Marx and Martin Luther King

20. Weaknesses
 Synoptic links
Methods: It accepts official statistics on crime and therefore would stresses the advantages/uses of them.
Theories/perspectives
Simple here, it’s functionalism!
Other topics
Education
Durkheim - integrative and regulative function of schools.
Merton - blocked opportunities result from material deprivation … and cultural deprivation…. This lowers chances of educational success which creates pressures to commit crime.
Merton has been criticised on a theoretical level. Functionalist subcultural theorists criticise Merton for individualising deviance. They claim that Merton sees deviance as an individual response to anomie, and therefore does not adequately account for the collective (group) nature of crime & deviance. This suggests that Merton only offers a partial view on crime and deviance.