...Assess the usefulness of functionalist and subcultural theories of crime and deviance for an understanding of why working class people commit crime (21 marks) Functionalists see society as based on shared norms and values which societies members are socialised into, known as a value consensus. This produces social solidarity, binding individuals together into a unit that works with other units to keep society running; it has been compared to the parts of the human body in the organic analogy. Durkheim was one of the first functionalists to investigate crime, he sees crime as part of a healthy and forward moving society; and that crime is inevitable in a modern society. This is because there is a not only a gender divide in labour, but a specialised divide in labour which causes diversity within subcultures. Because of this, the members of these subcultures become increasingly different from one another the shared norms and values become less clear. Durkheim describes this as Anomie, a state in which society becomes normless. Durkheim also believes all crime starts a deviance; this is because for changes to occur, individuals must challenge the current and accepted values of society. This will appear deviant at first, but as time passes could become the norm, or if it is supressed the individuals who challenged society will become outcasts. In the eyes of Durkheim, working class people commit crime because they want to see a change within society, this means that...
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...of anti-climb paint, CCTV and security guards in shops, better street lighting, metal detectors at airports, neighbourhood watch schemes and the re-designing of housing estates. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- SCP does not rely on intervening in children’s socialisation to prevent them becoming criminals later, or on the threat of punishments to deter current criminals. Instead, it makes specific changes aimed at influencing the decision or ability of offenders to commit particular crimes in particular situations. Like rational choice theory, SCP sees criminals as acting rationally. By making certain crimes less rewarding, more risky or needing greater effort, SCP makes criminals less likely to choose to commit them. 02 Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of conflict theories for an understanding of crime and deviance in contemporary society. (21 marks) Jan 2010 Read Item A below and answer the question that follows. 02 Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the view that ethnic differences in crime rates are the result of the ways in which the criminal justice system operates. (21 marks) June 2010 Read Item A below and answer the question that follows. 02 Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the relationship between crime and the mass media....
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...Assess the usefulness of the functionalist view for an understanding of the family today? Functionalism is a structural theory. In functionalism, social institutes like families are the key parts of the structure/system. These institutions are seen as working in an integrated way that keeps society in a state of consensus. Functionalists stress the positive role of a family for society and its members. They argue that the families’ role is universal and functional. A famous functionalist, called Murdock believed that the family is a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction. It includes adults of both sexes, at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship. Murdock believes that the family has 4 important functions, sex, reproduction, economic and socialisation. The family however does not always execute all of these functions, but it makes an important contribution to all of them and no other institution has yet been devised to match its efficiency in this respect. Another key functionalist is Parsons, who accepted that modern families do have functions that they need to fulfil, however he believed that outside agencies had taken over some of the main functions of the family but that two irreducible functions remained. These functions are stabilisation of adult personality and primary socialisation of the young. He added that he believed children needed two clear, stereotypical role models. The man was the...
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...“Assess the usefulness of consensus theories such as functionalism, to our understanding of contemporary society”. Functionalism is a structural consensus theory; it explains society in its totality, and assumes that the social world exists in a state of harmony. For functionalists such as Durkheim, society is a living, external organism, and its existence precedes its members; “society makes man (or woman)” in other words. Such a view of society has been massively useful for understanding the world we live in on a macro scale, and the fundamental propositions of the likes of Durkheim and Parsons constitute a huge area of contemporary sociological thought, specifically for the political and sociological right. However, it is clear that functionalism is no longer “in vogue”, and many actually see it as outdated and out of fashion, as its utility has been limited by a number of damaging criticisms and challenges from other sociological theories. Nevertheless, it has paved the way for much sociological research and continues to provide a useful explanation of society. In essence, functionalists see society as a “body”, which is composed of many different “organs” (institutions) which all functions together for the benefit of the whole. The social anthropologist Radcliffe-Brown for example, proposed that individuals are organised into society just as cells are organised into a body. Individual cells may die, but they are replaced and the body lives on, just as individual members...
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...Marxism is the study of capitalist societies. The theory first came from the German sociologist Karl Marx. Marxist theory mainly studied the nuclear family (N.F). The definition of the nuclear family consists of a mother, father and their dependent children. Marx believed within the capital society there were two types of social classes the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). His theory was the proletariat own nothing and the bourgeoisie owned all the means of production. Friedrich Engels was also a father of Marxist theory alongside Karl Marx. In 1884 Engels believed several theories of the functions of the N.F. It was to allow husbands to control their wives and this was to ensure the paternity of the sons. Therefore, wealth can be kept in the hands of bourgeoisie families (the ruling class) through inheritance from father to son. This is useful that he identifies the male superior towards the in the N.F and the importance functionalists believe of reproduction to keep the wealth within the family. Also shows the functionalists theory of the economic function of the family to be kept in the family showing the unfair advantage the bourgeoisie had on the proletariat. Eli Zaretsky in 1976 said the N.F reproduces the next generation of workers and it consumes the good of capitalism. It acts as a safety net for male frustration created by work. Zaretsky identifies the usefulness of the N.F giving an understanding of the dominating roles with the...
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...Assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 marks) In this essay one will assess the view of functionalists and how they approach their view of the causes of crime. Functionalisms over all view is to try understand how society shapes us by using a positivist view. Crime is defined as an action which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. One will assess each functionalist and their theories looking at how they coincide with one another, then challenge these theories to other sociologists. One functionalist sociologist is Talcott Parsons, he sees that society is based on a ‘value consensus’, and that without such a set of core values, social life would be impossible to maintain. Therefore society is a system and has to meet and fulfil certain needs, compared similarly to a biological organism. Parsons argued that certain things can be destabilising to society, for example when people do not conform to what is expected. By relating to a biological organism Parsons uses the idea of the ‘sick role’ where those that are ill don’t respect the medical profession by accepting that they are ill. He says that sickness is seen as deviant and has the potential for destabilising society. In comparison in society if someone has a ‘deviant illness’ they do not conform to what is seen as the norms in society, they are then seen as deviant and are likely to be rejected in society and turn to crime....
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... assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 marks) Item A Functionalist sociologists focus on how far individuals accept the norms and values of society. Central to their study of crime is the attempt to understand why people break the rules of society. Despite their focus on the importance of shared norms and values, functionalists see a small amount of crime as necessary and beneficial to society. The publicity given to crime highlights the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. However, the beneficial effects of crime for society are limited; too much crime can indicate problems By taking the perspective of a Functionalist we can consider how crime and deviance, although considered wrong, can be an important component to the running of society, and how it used. Functionalists use the collective conscience (which is a the need to be a working and productive member of society) by drawing attention to criminals and basically says “you don’t want to be like them do you?” as well as reinforce boundaries of right and wrong through the punishment of criminals and in some cases, exemplary punishments where special or extreme criminals get multiple life sentences. These extreme cases will likely be publicized through the mass media which works in two different aspects – strengthening bonds in the population by creating a mutual horror or fear, such as the stigmatisation of paedophiles or terrorist, this is part of Hirchi’s control theory which covers...
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...Assess the usefulness of interactionist approaches to the study of society. There are many different theories and perspectives that are used to study society. However, interactionism is an action theory that is mainly focused on small-scale interactions between individuals and groups, rather than large-scale workings of society. Interactionists seek to understand the meanings that social actors give to actions and situations usually by using qualitative research methods. Goffman was another interactionist who used the labelling theory to describe how we think of ourselves as actors who need to give a ‘convincing’ performance to the audience, this is the dramaturgical analogy. Goffman believes that we are social actors who are performing for the rest of society to persuade and prove to them that we can fit into the role given to us. He states that we use language, tone of voice as well as props and settings to give a perfect impression to the audience, however he argues that we do not have a ‘tightly scripted role’ as the functionalist theory believes, but loosely scripted roles that allow us to change certain factors. There are many different theories and perspectives that are used to study society. However, interactionism is an action theory that is mainly focused on small-scale interactions between individuals and groups, rather than large-scale workings of society. Interactionists seek to understand the meanings that social actors give to actions and situations usually...
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...Asses the usefulness of functionalist theories in understanding religion today Functionalists see society as a system that works together as a whole. Functionalism is based on a consensus; this is where each institution functions to help society by working together. Functionalists argue that religion is one of the institutions that promote social integration and social solidarity through value consensus. It is need to maintain social control Durkheim argues that religion brings people together creating social solidarity. This is done through ceremonies and ritual which unite people whether they are religious or not. He argues that most religions have ceremonies such as christenings, marriages, and funerals. Durkheim disguises between the sacred and the profane which are found in every religion. The sacred are things that are set apart or forbidden such as churches, temples. These things produce a sense of awe and respect where are profane does not. Profane are objects, activities which feature in individual’s daily life, such as shopping. Durkheim argues that ceremonies take people away from their profane part of life and bring into the sacred part of their lives. This creates a collective conscience as it unites society. Society today is more secular due to the reduction of religious beliefs rituals and ceremonies still bring people together. Functionalist would argue that even today religion still maintains social integration Durkheim argues that there is nothing special...
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...Functionalists state that both formal and informal social control plays a role in preventing criminality. For example: Hirschi, discussed the concept of informal social control (control that occurs through the family, school and local community). Hirschi suggested that we form social bonds through attachment, commitment, involvement and our beliefs, and that these are the components that prevent us from committing crime. However, Farrington and West contradicted Hirschi, and stated that involvement within a family/community whereby criminality is rife could potentially cause individuals to become involved in crime themselves through a process of association, opposed to preventing crime like Hirschi’s theory suggested. Murray additionally contradicted the concept of informal social control, from a right realism perspective Murray stated that close social bonds within a community do not prevent criminal acts but instead promote an ‘underclass’ amongst society. The lumpen proletariat in Murray’s terms are dependent on the state, and participate in short-term sexual relationships and consequently have children outside of stable family structure. In addition to this, Murray states the underclass have no concern of society’s values and that crime is a result of a lack of informal social control as a result of a vicious circle of normlessness. Functionalists also view formal social control as a vital preventable measure. Formal social control refers to specific institutions that exert...
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...of the ruling class, the police and other social control agencies as paid agents of the ruling class, and crime as an inevitable outcome of the dog-eat-dog nature of the capitalist system, and the inequalities it generates. Crime also serves as a diversionary tactic, it diverts attention away from the exploitation and inequalities within the capitalism system and focuses the minds of the proletariat on deviants and criminals who are then mistakenly blamed for being the real cause of problems in society. However there are several variations in Marxist ideas on crime. Neo Marxists have developed critical criminology which has attempted to incorporate labelling theory and Brake has used subcultural theory to explain the attraction of youth groups. Assignment 2 – Using material from Item B and elsewhere assess the usefulness of Marxist approaches in explaining crime The traditional Marxist belief is a structural one as they see society as being based on a structure, this structure being determined and controlled by one of the two groups that they believe society is divided into. These two groups are the ruling capitalist class (bourgeoisie) who own the means of production, and the working class (proletariat) whose alienated labour the ruling class exploit to make profit. Item B draws on this point as it says “they see the law as a tool of the ruling class.” There are several variations in Marxist ideas on crime (Item B). Traditional Marxists talk more about the criminogenic nature...
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...Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime (21 marks) Deviance is defined as the state of diverging from usual or accepted standards whereas crime is defined as an action or omission which constitutes an offence and is punishable by law. Usually, we would expect that functionalists would regard crime and deviance as wholly negative. However, functionalists such as Durkheim see the “beneficial effects of crime for society” whether there are “limited” or not. Additionally, functionalists see crime as inevitable and universal. Every known society has some level of crime and deviance. Within this essay, I will be exploring the ways key functionalists such as Durkheim, Merton, Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin view crime and criticisms towards their ideas. Durkheim states “crime is normal… an integral part of all healthy societies.” There are two reasons why crime and deviance are found in all societies. Which are; not everyone is equally effectively socialised into the shared norms and values and, therefore, some individuals will be prone to deviate. Secondly, in complex modern societies there is a diversity of lifestyles and values. Different groups develop their own subcultures with their own norms and values. The mainstream culture may regard their norms as deviant. Durkheim’s perspectives highlights that crime is not just inevitable but it also fulfils two important functions. Firstly, boundary maintenance. Crime...
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...THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES NAME: MWENYA MAKASA COMP NO: 14129965 COURSE: SOCIOLOGY 1110 LECTURE: MRS NTASHALA TUTOR: MR MWILA LUDAMO TUTORIAL DATE: WEDNESDAY 18-19HRS TASK: ASSIGNMENT ONE DUE DATE: 28TH January, 2015 QUESTION: Discuss the three Main Perspectives in Sociology and indicate their usefulness in Contemporary society? The nature of this essay is to discuss the three main perspectives in sociology and indicate their usefulness in contemporary society. The essay will first start with the definition of the term sociology and the term perspective. Later the essay will identify the three main sociological perspectives which are the key concepts of this essay. And a conclusion will be drawn at the end of this essay. The term sociology can be dated back in 1840. It was a word introduced by the French philosopher and the father of positivism (the use of scientific method in observing and studying social behavior). Auguste Comte (1789-1857) is considered to be the founder of the term sociology used to describe a new way of looking at the society. Therefore sociology can be defined as a scientific way of thinking about society and its influence on human groups (Taylor 2011). Perspectives in sociology provides us with different mindset in which we feel and see the world for example, a...
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...Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 marks) In reference to Item A functionalism is a consensus theory, stating that in society we are governed by a value consensus that we all share. This means we all are socialised into the shared values, beliefs and norms of society. Functionalism uses this idea of value consensus to explain how crime is the result of not following this. It also explains how crime has functions in society and how it can play and integral part in society. Functionalists believe that crime is the effect of inadequate socialisation. This is because we are all individuals with our own experiences and families which raise us all differently whilst still keeping in with the norms and values of society, the problem lies where families socialise their children poorly and the children feel as sense of anomie or normlessness from their society. Meaning that they do not feel connected to the values they were poorly raised into. For instance, Durkheim argued that people feel anomie for the values and this makes them commit crime because they do not know that they aren’t supposed to, or that it is wrong. To them there is a blurred line between right and wrong. Therefore functionalism is useful at explaining what crime is caused by. Functionalists also feel though crime has a function in society, 1 Boundary maintenance, meaning that public displays of punishment (public courts)...
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...Using the material from Item A and elsewhere assess the usefulness of functionalist approaches in explaining crime. (21 Marks) Crime is the act which breaks the criminal laws of society. The functionalists approach to crime and deviance gives us some insight into how society copes with deviant behaviour. However it has limitations for example it only looks at the functions of deviance and not the causes. Durkheim says that to allow social solidarity to occur in society there are two key mechanisms which are socialisation and social control. He states that crime and deviance is inevitable and that it is needed in society as it preforms two positive functions; boundary maintenance and adaption. In Durkheim’s view, the purpose of punishment is to reaffirm society’s shared rules. As it states in Item A the publicity given to crime highlights the boundaries of acceptable behaviour and this reinforces social solidarity through for example court rooms which dramatizes the wrong doing and stigmatises the offender and therefore discourages others from breaking society’s rules. For individuals that want adaption, there must be some scope for them to challenge and change the existing norms and values which is deviance. However, in time there values may give way to a new culture and morality. For example gay marriage would be seen as deviant but in current times it has become less deviant in countries such as the United Kingdom because it has become more popular over the last decade. If...
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