![]() Status frustration theory, a subcultural theory, was developed by Albert Cohen in the 1950s. Functionalist theory of crime: status frustration theory ![]() Albert Cohen's theory of crimeĪlbert Cohen (1955) built on Merton's Strain theory, with his theory of status frustration. Therefore, people turn away from legitimate means of achieving material success and take up crime as a way to achieve it.Ī few theorists in functionalist criminology use the concept of 'subcultures' to explain the prevalence of crime.There is a strain between society’s expectations, and the means to live up to them. The main argument of strain theory is that anomie is caused by the pressure (known as ‘strain to anomie’) to accomplish these goals, and is felt most by those who have trouble in accomplishing them.However, there’s a lot of proof that various demographics are constrained by structural factors which prevent them from achieving the material success that the American Dream glorifies. The goal of material success is a part of the American Dream - an ethos that states that every American has the opportunity to advance their careers and make it to the top. He argued that the vision of success in American culture is attached to material and financial gain, achieved through legitimate means like skill-building and formal qualifications. He took on Durkheim’s idea of anomie and applied it to his examination of contemporary American society. Strain theory was pioneered by Robert Merton (1949). Several other researchers have gained ground by taking Durkheim’s theorisation of crime and deviance and extending it to understand particular societies or different types of criminal activity. He argued that, in this society, even the smallest level of deviance would elicit a major reaction because the deviant behaviour would seem all the more unacceptable. Durkheim urged his readers to imagine a society without crime. It’s important to note, however, that deviance beyond a certain amount risks harming society and causing dysfunction, or anomie. Not everyone will be equally devoted to conforming to society’s shared norms and values. He pointed out that crime happens in even the most advanced communities and that this is normal. Functionality theory of crime: crime is inevitableĪccording to Émile Durkheim (1964), a limited amount of crime is inevitable. Let's go through Durkheim's key points about the role of crime in society. Émile Durkheim's functionalist theory of crime We will be looking at Durkheim, Merton, Cohen, and Hirschi. In this section, you’ll find the main theories within the functionalist view on crime or functionalist criminology. Examples of the functionalist theory of crime Functionalist criminology would likely analyse crime through a positive lens. What is functionalist criminology?įunctionalist criminology combines the study of crime and criminals (criminology) with the theory of functionalism. 1 - For functionalists, crime is both inevitable and beneficial for social order. It also claims that deviance serves a beneficial function to society as a whole.įig. The functionalist view on crime explains the existence of crime as being the result of the structure of society (rather than as a result of individuals themselves). Now that we've reminded ourselves about functionalism, we will specifically look at the functionalist view on crime. Structural functionalism’s premise is that society is made up of necessary interdependent parts which bring about social order and consensus within society. Instead, they see society as a system of interdependent structures which shape human behaviour. Structuralists, when examining human behaviour, tend not to acknowledge individual factors like biology or psychology. In sociology, functionalism is a consensus structuralist theory. Let us start with a refresher on functionalism generally. Lastly, we will also take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of functionalist theories of crime.We’ll also be exploring how Durkheim’s ideas have been extended by the likes of Merton, Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin, and Hirschi.We'll follow that by looking at the functionalist view on crime as both unpreventable and beneficial, as argued by Émile Durkheim.We’ll begin by defining functionalism as a theory under the branch of structuralism.To that end, we’ll be diving into functionalist theories of crime or functionalist criminology. Does crime have a function in society? Some people certainly think so.
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