The Three Main Theories of Deviance and Their Strengths and Weaknesses

The Three primary(prenominal) Theories of Deviance and Their Strengths and Weaknesses A functionalist analysis of distortion looks for the source of deviance in the nature of society rather than in the biological or mental nature of the individual. Although functionalists agree that cordial control mechanisms such as the guard and the courts are necessary to keep deviance in check, many grapple that a certain amount of deviance suffer contribute to the offbeat of society. Durkhiem (1895) believed that * curse is an integral part of all healthy societies. This is because individuals are exposed to contrasting influences and will not be committed to the shared values and beliefs of society. * Crime can be functional. All societies need to progress and all social change begins with some form of deviance. In order for change to occur, yesterdays deviance must become tomorrows normality. Nelson Mandela, once imprisoned as a terr orist, eventually became president of South Africa. * Societies need both aversion and punishment. Without punishment the crime rate would reach a point where it became dysfunctional. Durkheims views have been developed by A. Cohen (1966) who discussed two possible functions of deviance 1. Deviance can be a safety valve, providing a relatively harmless expression of discontent. For example, prostitution enables men to send from family life without undermining family stability. 2. Deviant acts can warn society that an aspect is not working properly, for example widespread truanting from school. Merton (1938) explains how deviance can result from the nuance and ... ... (taking advantage of insider knowledge to make huge profits on the persuade exchange). This is illegal, which suggests that capitalists do not always get the laws they want. 5. Left Realists believe that Marxists put too much emphasis on corporate crime . Other crimes such as burglary cause greater harm than Marxists imply. Their victims are usually working-class and the consequences can be devastating for them. 6. Post-modern Criminology rejects Marxist criminology as being neither presumptive nor defensible. Despite these criticisms, Marxism has been an influence on a number of critical perspectives on deviance. Some have drawn their inspiration from Marxism and can be referred to as neo-Marxist approaches. Others owe less to Marxism and are better defined as pedestal approaches.