Understanding Crime and Deviance: A Look at Functionalism and Sociology

Page 2: Strain Theory and Social Adaptation

This page explores Merton's strain theory and various adaptations to social pressure. When individuals cannot access institutionalized means to achieve cultural goals, they experience strain leading to different responses.

Definition: Strain theory explains how limited access to legitimate means of achieving societal goals creates pressure that may lead to deviance.

Example: Working class individuals might turn to crime due to lack of income or quality education.

Highlight: The five adaptations to strain are:

• Conformity: Continuing to pursue goals despite limited chances
• Innovation: Accepting goals but using alternative methods
• Ritualism: Following means while losing sight of goals
• Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means
• Rebellion: Substituting different goals and means

Quote: "When people cannot access the institutionalised means and cultural goals of their society, they experience anomie, which in turn leads to strain."

Page 3: Social Control Theory and Bonds of Attachment

Hirschi's social control theory (1969) emphasizes how social bonds prevent deviance through four key elements: attachment, belief, commitment, and involvement.

Definition: Social control theory explains how strong social bonds encourage conformity and prevent deviant behavior.

Highlight: The four bonds of attachment are:

• Attachment to conventional others
• Belief in societal values
• Commitment to conventional activities
• Involvement in legitimate pursuits

Example: Employment serves as a form of involvement that prevents crime by occupying time and creating stakes in conformity.

Vocabulary: Typical delinquent - characterized as young, male, working class, and single.

The theory supports the functionalist view that society is based on value consensus while acknowledging that everyone has potential for deviance under certain circumstances.

Page 1: Boundary Maintenance and Functions of Deviance

The functionalist perspective examines how crime and deviance serve to maintain social boundaries and facilitate change. Social reactions to criminal behavior help reinforce collective values through public condemnation.

Example: Public reactions to terrorist activities demonstrate boundary maintenance as society collectively condemns such behavior through media coverage.

Definition: Boundary maintenance refers to how society's response to deviance strengthens shared values and norms.

Highlight: Deviant behaviors can lead to social change, as demonstrated by movements like gay rights and women's liberation.

Vocabulary: Anomie - a state of normlessness that occurs when there is too much crime in society.

The functionalist view posits that an optimal amount of crime helps society function, though excessive crime leads to anomie.