The functionalist analysis of deviance (cont.) 1/24 Norms and Anomie

Functionalism in sociology e.g.E. Durkheim ( ) * ** Functionalism in sociology e.g.E. Durkheim ( ) * ** ** Durkheim is discussed in most chapters of Sociology, Micro, Macro and Mega Functionalism appears in all chapters Functionalism believes that the society is an organic system –The main forms of modern functionalism stress norms as the social thermostat. – Fundamental concepts: function, social integration; norms; normative integration.

Durkheim’s most important empirical study: Suicide The prediction and explanation of suicide. Seeing the forest for the trees: rates are social facts *p.24. Suicide rates are social facts. Durkheim argued that social facts must be explained by other social facts. i.e. if a sociologist refers to psychological motives or moral values, s/he must show why that social structure or social position was characterized by those motives or those values.

How much suicide is there? In the US predictably more than 30,000 people kill themselves every year. Surgeon General's ReportSurgeon General's Report. Surgeon General's Report This compares to about 19,000 homicides. These rates are stable and predictable. What causes them? Moreover, people in different social positions have different probabilities of committing suicide.

The empirical basis of Durkheim’s theory of egoistic suicide Some groups have consistently higher rates. Durkheim’s theory explained these rates. The first portion of Durkheim’s theory consistently explained the following differences in suicide rates. Rates QuestionsRates Questions. Rates Questions Our social intuitions have to be correct most of the time, but they are not infallible, and they do not substitute for collecting and analyzing data.

The concept of egoistic suicide Some groups have consistently higher rates: Men, singles, childless, Protestants, peacetime, and the present time. The concept of egoistic suicide *p.25. The theory is elegant and general, but it is only one portion of Durkheim’s theory. –Were the suicide bombers social isolates? –Was Cesar or Garfield a social isolate?

Basic idea of egoistic suicide: lack of social integration. Lack of social ties, leaves someone uncontrolled: free to engage in deviance. Applications to other behaviors: – Academic failure –Crime. –187. –Age effects on suicide: adolescent peak and elderly Contrasts between Durkheim and an individualist explanation Re morals or individual psychology. Social bonds and social solidarity are not just important for suicide, but for all human behavior.

The concept of altruistic suicide High rates: in the military, Japan, India and preliterate societies. Basic idea: excess of social integration. Possible extension to other areas. –Bonds to the military or to the gang in 187 –Did the terrorists who killed themselves in the Sept. 11 attacks have a lack or an excess of bonds to their families and communities? –Al Quaeda as a social bond –Cesar’s bond to KOS

Anomie Definition in text: * 41 the weakening of moral regulation of the self associated with personal and social disorder Examples in the text: 1.The Clay 2.Las Vegas, Nevada Examples in The murder 2. The classroom

The concept of anomic suicide However, other groups with neither an excess or a lack of social relationships have high suicide rates: Urban, mobile, professional, educated, divorced Periods of prosperity, as well as periods of poverty. The suicide rate rises when people have more choice and control over their lives, which is somewhat puzzling and paradoxical. Durkheim: –people need limits; or life is endless frustration. –traditional normative systems set those limits most effectively. –Norms = lack of choices = low suicide –Prosperity, urbanism, education etc. erodes those traditional limits.

Anomie For Functionalist theory, the normative system is a basic features of any society. There is never perfect agreement on the rules – an absolute moral consensus – but maintaining enough agreement is crucial. Authoritative enforcement plays a role in establishing the rules. There is always some anomie. In modern society, the danger of anomie becomes more pressing.

The concept of fatalism Durkheim argued that in the same way that you could have too much social integration as well as too little, he argued that you could have too much normative integration. Not observed in modern society, which tends to be anomic But groups and individuals with very high commitments may have high suicide rates. Islamic Jihad, 9/11, Jonestown, Waco, Buddhist monks protesting Vietnam

Durkheim's theory of suicide as a whole.

Durkheim’s theory of organic solidarity Structural differentiation: The jobs the society needs to have done are performed by specialist in specialized institutions. Increased heterogeneity; decreased common culture. If social norms are based on common culture, anomie is inevitable. Durkheim believed organic solidarity and a modern normative system could welcome and be based on complementary differences. Its content: general principles of unconditional human rights, freedom of religion, speech, press; habeas corpus; equal opportunity; equal treatment by the law…

Organic solidarity Definition: *41 Social integration based on functional dependence of specialists, typical of modern society. Distinguished from “Mechanical Solidarity:” human attraction based on common moral sentiments, typical of tribal society. –E.g. of mechanical: caning, cutting off hand –E.g. of organic: Miranda rule, Amnesty Int. That is, for Durkheim the expansion of human rights was the only way to hold together a complex, heterogeneous society

Durkheim and Marx. Durkheim’s theory of social structure was that it was a functional system governed by norms. This compares to Marx’ theory of social structure as a kind of game of Monopoly. Durkheim’s theory of social change was structural differentiation governed by increasingly organic solidarity. This should be compared to Marx’ theory of social change as a set of class struggles:

Marx’ theory of change: In fact, we shall see that the relationship between Marx and Durkheim is fairly complex. Like Marx, Durkheim regarded the transformation of aristocratic, medieval society as requiring revolution, and he regarded inherited class position in industrial, capitalist society as a problem.