Deck 6: Functionalism: The Normal and the Pathological

Question 1

According to Durkheim, crime is present in

A) a majority of societies.
B) all types of societies.
C) modern as opposed to traditional society.
D) pathological societies.

Answer 1

all types of societies.

Question 2

Durkheim suggests that crime is

A) abnormal for all societies.
B) normal for modern but not traditional societies.
C) abnormal because it indicates collective sentiments are not working.
D) normal because no society is exempt from it.

Answer 2

normal because no society is exempt from it.

Question 3

A society of saints according to Durkheim would likely

A) experience high rates of crime.
B) define some minor faults or acts as crimes.
C) enjoy a near zero rate of crime.
D) NOT have to be concerned with punishing criminal acts at all.

Answer 3

define some minor faults or acts as crimes.

Question 4

Durkheim suggests that crime is

A) both necessary and useful to society.
B) neither necessary nor useful to society.
C) sometimes necessary and sometimes useful to society.
D) always necessary but never useful to society.

Question 5

In order for murder to disappear in society, Durkheim suggests which of the following?

A) elect officials who are willing to commit adequate police resources.
B) target the individuals and social classes most likely to commit murder.
C) collective sentiment against murder must become very strong throughout all segments of society.
D) communities must punish murder by enacting death penalty legislation.

Question 6

According to Durkheim, the punishment of Socrates for his crime

A) illustrates that freedom of thought is universally valued though seldom permitted.
B) illustrates that crime is relative and its definition varies over time and place.
C) demonstrates the positive function of crime in promoting social change.
D) demonstrates the utility of punishment as a deterrent against radical ideas.

Question 7

Discuss the role of collective sentiments in Durkheim's definition of crime. What role do such sentiments play in his view of the inevitability of crime? Explain.

Question 8

What is the function of crime for society according to Durkheim? Relate his view of the significance of Socrates. Do you agree with Durkheim? Why or why not? Explain.

Question 9

Durkheim discusses a society of saints as a social order in which crime will still occur. How is this possible-explain fully.