Functionalist Theories of Crime & Deviance - Durkheim | A Level Sociology

Emile Durkheim's contribution to functionalist theories of crime and deviance is summarised in this video.

VIDEO TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction to the video on functionalist theories of crime and deviance, focusing on Emile Durkheim.
00:33 - Discussion of how rapid social changes led to undesirable effects in society, such as poverty, mental illness, and crime.
01:07 - Explanation of Durkheim's view that crime and deviance are normal and necessary for a healthy society.
01:43 - Introduction of the concept of boundary maintenance, where society's reactions to criminal behavior reinforce the collective values and norms.
02:17 - Examples of boundary maintenance in contemporary society, including public reactions to terrorist activities and riots.
03:25 - Presentation of adaptation and change as a positive function of crime and deviance, as deviant behaviors challenge and gradually change societal norms.
04:31 - Mention of crime as a safety valve and the idea that certain forms of deviance can serve as a social release for tensions.
05:36 - Evaluation of Durkheim's views, including the challenge of defining the optimal level of crime and the diminishing impact of deviant behaviors in contemporary society.
06:09 - Criticism of the media and state's role in suppressing meaningful social change and maintaining the status quo.

VIDEO SUMMARY
This video explores functionalist theories of crime and deviance, particularly focusing on Emile Durkheim's perspective. Durkheim argued that crime and deviance are normal and necessary for a functioning society, serving positive functions such as boundary maintenance and adaptation. Boundary maintenance refers to societal reactions that reinforce collective values and norms, while adaptation involves deviant behaviors gradually changing societal norms. However, the video also acknowledges the challenges in defining the optimal level of crime and deviance and highlights the diminishing impact of deviant behaviors in contemporary society, often met with media condemnation and resistance to meaningful social change.

KEY TERMS USED IN THE VIDEO
functionalist theories, crime, deviance, Emile Durkheim, organic solidarity, mechanical solidarity, social change, boundary maintenance, adaptation, social cohesion, norms, values, contemporary society

#aqasociology #AQAALevelSociology #ALevelSociology #CrimeAndDeviance

[vineetchhillar]

mans is carrying me through my course right now

[ceemor]

This has massively me in comphrehending the theory behing the funcionalist's thinking of crime and deviance. Many thanks mate!

[andrei-frmu]

this is my last hope 2 days before my exam

[tutoru-official]

For more essential revision help on Crime & Deviance for AQA A-Level Sociology, take a look at the following:

[Bringvineback]

Great video! Caught one mistake though:
Society hasn’t changed from organic to mechanical solidarity, it has gone from mechanical to organic.

Pre modern society: mechanical solidarity
Modern society: organic solidarity

[conradmusonda]

After struggling with this course, now I have an understanding or a can memorize the reasons crime is good

[shasisstuff]

writing crime and punishment tomorrow, this definitely helped