FUNCTIONALIST THEORYCONFLICT THEORY

SYMBOLIC/ INTERACTIONIST

Three Theories aboutYouth Crime

Conflict Theory

Understands social groups by examining the underlying conflict

Sociologists want to understand the power struggles between the groups

What causes it?Assumption #1: society is composed of a

variety of groups in conflict with each other and each group seeks to impose its own standards/rights/power/norms etc

Assumption #2: these norms/values are not shared

Consequences of conflict

Because these norms/values are not shared, one group seeks to dominate the others and seeks to improve its standing at the expense of the other.

What examples can you think of?If one group dominates, there will be peace

and stability but this is imposed by force (or threat) to maintain this state.

Functionalist theory

Society is a system of many different parts (groups) that function together to achieve equilibrium/harmony/stability/

Sometimes called the status quoThink of your body where all organs must

work together for a maximal state of healthWhen these systems (groups, institutions)

work well, there is equilibrium When they don’t there is strain and

disharmony

Consequences of strain

When the parts (systems) of the society are under strain (sometimes because of change), the goals of that society (think values) are not internalized by the individual.

Example: Canada, Quebec, Education Act, drop out rate, unemployment problems…

Example: Low voter participation ratesWhat are the values/goals that the

‘system’/society has that the individual is not internalizing?

Evolution

Social systems evolve VERY SLOWLY and so change takes time

Functionalist theory focuses more on order and status quo than on change

Functionalist theory focuses on institutions that promote stability (education, churches, temples, government)

Agreement?

Both agree that shared values between groups are essential for a society’s health

CONFLICT: These values are forced FUNCTIONALIST: These values must be

learned Example: families, parents, children = mini

societiesYouth crime: an example of resistance to

values they perceive as ‘forced’ upon themRejection of mainstream values by the

powerless and the minorities

Explaining Crime

Conflict theory Youth crime: an example of resistance to

values they perceive as ‘forced’ upon themRejection of mainstream values by the

powerless and the minoritiesFunctionalist theory

Values are poorly learned, youth + dysfunctional homes, poverty, mental illness, inadequate schools all contribute to creating this problem

Causes of CrimeConflict Functionalist

Delinquency is a reaction of the life condition of a person’s social class

People act in ways that suit their social position and power/powerlessness

We are a product of our class

What are the elements that make up someone’s class?

Delinquency is a result of individuals/groups not internalizing the shared values/norms/rules of their society.

Some absorb delinquent values.

Conflict Functionalist

Youth crime is concentrated in lower classes because the ruling class sees their behaviour as delinquent

More likely to be arrested because the ruling class has the power to do this and controls the police

Youth crime is concentrated in the poor because the institutions that are supposed to help are not effective and are dysfunctional

(families, schools, peers, neighbourhoods)

More likely to be arrested because they commit more crimes

Conflict Functionalist

Delinquency varies from society to society depending upon the political and economic structures of that society

Socialist societies have less crime because they have less social/class conflict

Delinquency is a constant feature in all societies

Capitalist and socialist both have the same rates of delinquency