The functionalist analysis of The functionalist analysis of deviance (cont.) deviance (cont.) 1/241/24

Norms and Norms and

AnomieAnomie

Functionalism in sociology Functionalism in sociology e.g.e.g. E. Durkheim (1858-1916)E. Durkheim (1858-1916)   * * *  *  Durkheim is discussed in most chapters of Durkheim is discussed in most chapters of Sociology, Micro, Macro and MegaSociology, Micro, Macro and MegaFunctionalism appears in all chaptersFunctionalism appears in all chaptersFunctionalism believes that the society is Functionalism believes that the society is an organic systeman organic system– The main forms of modern functionalism The main forms of modern functionalism

stress norms as the social thermostat.stress norms as the social thermostat.– Fundamental concepts: function, social Fundamental concepts: function, social

integration; norms; normative integration. integration; norms; normative integration.

Durkheim’s most important Durkheim’s most important empirical study: empirical study: SuicideSuicide

The prediction and explanation of suicide. The prediction and explanation of suicide.

Seeing the forest for the trees: rates are social facts Seeing the forest for the trees: rates are social facts *p.24. *p.24.

Suicide rates are social facts.Suicide rates are social facts.

Durkheim argued that social facts must be Durkheim argued that social facts must be explained by other social facts.explained by other social facts.

i.e. if a sociologist refers to psychological motives i.e. if a sociologist refers to psychological motives or moral values, s/he must show why that social or moral values, s/he must show why that social structure or social position was characterized by structure or social position was characterized by those motives or those values.those motives or those values.

How much suicide is there?How much suicide is there?In the US predictably more than 30,000 In the US predictably more than 30,000 people kill themselves every year. people kill themselves every year.

Surgeon General's ReportSurgeon General's Report..

This compares to about 19,000 homicides.This compares to about 19,000 homicides.

These rates are stable and predictable. These rates are stable and predictable. What causes them?What causes them?

Moreover, people in different social Moreover, people in different social positions have different probabilities of positions have different probabilities of committing suicide.committing suicide.

The empirical basis of Durkheim’s The empirical basis of Durkheim’s theory of egoistic suicidetheory of egoistic suicide

Some groups have consistently higher rates. Some groups have consistently higher rates.

Durkheim’s theory explained these rates.Durkheim’s theory explained these rates.

The first portion of Durkheim’s theory The first portion of Durkheim’s theory consistently explained the following differences consistently explained the following differences in suicide rates.in suicide rates.

Rates QuestionsRates Questions..

Our social intuitions have to be correct most of Our social intuitions have to be correct most of the time, but they are not infallible, and they do the time, but they are not infallible, and they do not substitute for collecting and analyzing data.not substitute for collecting and analyzing data.

The concept of egoistic suicideThe concept of egoistic suicide

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

Basic idea of egoistic suicide: Basic idea of egoistic suicide: lack of social integration. lack of social integration.

Lack of social ties, leaves someone uncontrolled: Lack of social ties, leaves someone uncontrolled: free to engage in deviance. free to engage in deviance.

Applications to other behaviors:Applications to other behaviors:– Academic failureAcademic failure– Crime. Crime. – 187.187.– Age effects on suicide: adolescent peak and elderly Age effects on suicide: adolescent peak and elderly

Contrasts between Durkheim and an individualist Contrasts between Durkheim and an individualist explanationexplanation Re morals or individual psychology. Re morals or individual psychology.

Social bonds and social solidarity are not just Social bonds and social solidarity are not just important for suicide, but for all human behavior.important for suicide, but for all human behavior.

The concept of altruistic The concept of altruistic suicidesuicide

High rates: in the military, Japan, India High rates: in the military, Japan, India and preliterate societies. and preliterate societies.

Basic idea: excess of social integration. Basic idea: excess of social integration.

Possible extension to other areas. Possible extension to other areas. – Bonds to the military or to the gang in 187Bonds to the military or to the gang in 187– Did the terrorists who killed themselves in Did the terrorists who killed themselves in

the Sept. 11 attacks have a lack or an the Sept. 11 attacks have a lack or an excess of bonds to their families and excess of bonds to their families and communities?communities?

– Al Quaeda as a social bondAl Quaeda as a social bond– Cesar’s bond to KOSCesar’s bond to KOS

AnomieAnomie

Definition in text: * 41 the weakening of Definition in text: * 41 the weakening of moral regulation of the self associated moral regulation of the self associated with personal and social disorderwith personal and social disorderExamples in the text:Examples in the text:

1.1. The ClayThe Clay2.2. Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada

Examples in 187Examples in 1871.1. The murderThe murder2.2. The classroomThe classroom

The concept of anomic suicideThe concept of anomic suicide

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

AnomieAnomie

For Functionalist theory, the normative For Functionalist theory, the normative system is a basic features of any society.system is a basic features of any society.

There is never perfect agreement on the There is never perfect agreement on the rules – an absolute moral consensus – but rules – an absolute moral consensus – but maintaining enough agreement is crucial.maintaining enough agreement is crucial.

Authoritative enforcement plays a role in Authoritative enforcement plays a role in establishing the rules.establishing the rules.

There is always some anomie.There is always some anomie.

In modern society, the danger of anomie In modern society, the danger of anomie becomes more pressing. becomes more pressing.

The concept of fatalismThe concept of fatalism

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

Durkheim's theory of suicide as Durkheim's theory of suicide as a whole.a whole.

Durkheim’s theory of organic Durkheim’s theory of organic solidaritysolidarity

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

Organic solidarityOrganic solidarityDefinition: *41 Social integration based on Definition: *41 Social integration based on functional dependence of specialists, typical functional dependence of specialists, typical of modern society.of modern society.

Distinguished from “Mechanical Solidarity:” Distinguished from “Mechanical Solidarity:” human attraction based on common moral human attraction based on common moral sentiments, typical of tribal society.sentiments, typical of tribal society.– E.g. of mechanical: caning, cutting off handE.g. of mechanical: caning, cutting off hand– E.g. of organic: Miranda rule, Amnesty Int.E.g. of organic: Miranda rule, Amnesty Int.

That is, for Durkheim the expansion of That is, for Durkheim the expansion of human rights was the only way to hold human rights was the only way to hold together a complex, heterogeneous societytogether a complex, heterogeneous society

Durkheim and Marx.Durkheim and Marx.

Durkheim’s theory of social structure was that it Durkheim’s theory of social structure was that it was a functional system governed by norms.was a functional system governed by norms.

This compares to Marx’ theory of social structure This compares to Marx’ theory of social structure as a kind of game of Monopoly.as a kind of game of Monopoly.

Durkheim’s theory of social change was Durkheim’s theory of social change was structural differentiation governed by structural differentiation governed by increasingly organic solidarity.increasingly organic solidarity.

This should be compared to Marx’ theory of This should be compared to Marx’ theory of social change as a set of class struggles:social change as a set of class struggles:

Marx’ theory of change: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.