Functionalist Perspective Functions and Dysfunctions Deviance is not

Functionalist Perspective Functions and Dysfunctions

Deviance is not biological… • Sociologists have long assumed that there is nothing physically or mentally wrong with most deviants – The legacy of Emile Durkheim • Deviance is normal and beneficial to society because it contributes to social order • Today’s Functionalists focus on society’s dysfunctions or problems and the causes of deviance

Durkheim: Functionalist Theory • According to Durkheim, deviance can serve a number of functions for society 1. Helps enhance conformity- the deviant act and the punishment provides other citizens for an example of what constitutes a crime – Can see the boundary between right and wrong 2. Strengthens solidarity among law abiding members of society- collective outrage over deviants and a common enemy can unite them ▫ EX: 9/11

Durkheim continued 3. Deviance provides a safety valve for discontented people – Prostitution may serve as a safety valve for marriageno connection with the person 4. Deviance can induce social change – • MLK and other civil rights leaders were jeered and imprisoned for their opposition to segregation but they moved the US towards a greater racial equality Limit to ED’s theory- if deviance is widespread it can threaten social order by wrecking interpersonal relationships and undermine trust

Merton: Strain Theory • In 1930’s Merton drew on ED’s concepts to develop his theory called the anomie theory (strain theory) – Anomie means normalness and is a social condition in which norms are absent, weak, or in conflict • Anomie may arise when there is an inconsistency in society between the cultural goals and the institutionalized (legitimate) means of achieving the goals

Strain Theory Example: Success • According to Merton, the US culture puts too much emphasis on success as a valued goal – Parents, teachers, coaches , the media prod student to achieve the “American Dream” • Success motivates people to work hard but at the same time people are not equally provided with the legitimate means for achieving success • This produces a strain among people in the lower classes pressuring them to achieve success through innovation- using legitimate means of achieving success

5 responses to goal-means inconsistency 1. conformity- accepting both the cultural goal and the use of legitimate means 2. Innovation- accepting goals but rejecting use of socially accepted means of achieving it 3. Ritualism- people no longer set high success goals but continue to be diligent workers 4. Retreatism- withdrawal from society 5. rebellion- people reject and attempt to change both the goals and mean approved by society

Merton’s theory • In short, it blames deviance on society’s failure to provide all people with legitimate means of achieving success • Explains the high rates of robbery, theft and other property crimes among lower-class people • Fails to explain embezzlement, tax fraud, and other white collar crimes b/c the people who commit those are typically not deprived of the legitimate means of success

Hirschi: Control Theory • Travis Hirschi assumed that family, school, and other social institutions can greatly contribute to social order by controlling deviant tendencies in all of us • If social control is lacking or weak, people will commit deviant acts

Hirschi’s Social bonds • The best control mechanism against deviance is our bond to others: 1. Attachment to conventional people and institutions- Teenagers may show attachment by loving and respecting their parents, making friends with peers, liking school, etc. 2. Commitment to conformity- can be seen in the times and energy devoted to conventional activities- getting a job, education, etc.

Social Bonds continued 3. Involvement in conventional activities- people keep themselves so busy doing conventional things that they don’t have time to be deviant 4. Belief in the moral validity of social rules- the rules of conventional society should be obeys • If society fails to strengthen the social bonds, deviance is likely to flourish

Braithwaite: Shaming Theory • John Braithwaite looks at how society controls us through shaming • 2 types of shaming ▫ Disintegrative shamming- wrongdoer is punished in such a way as to be banished from conventional socity ▫ Reintegrative shamming- make the wrongdoers feel guilty while showing them understanding, forgiveness, or even respect Parents administer to children “hating the sin but loving the sinner”

Shame, Shame… We know your name • Reintegrative shaming is more common in communitarian societies such as Japan ▫ Discourages further deviance • Disintegrated shaming is more prevalent in less communitarian societies like the US ▫ Encourages more deviance ▫ Explains why crime rate is higher in US