... the individual themselves. Emile Durkheim has been particular interested in studying deviant behaviour. As a functionalist, he believes that deviance is a necessary part for all healthy societies; it is inevitable because not every member of society can be committed to the collective sentiments which are commonly shared. Cohen, from a functionalist perspective showed that deviant behaviour often has an important part to play in maintaining stable social system and allow the society to function effectively. For example, he analysed the function of prostitution and suggested that use of prostitutes was vital in maintaining stable family life. Functionalists also imply the social learning theory to support their arguments because it implies that people become deviants through deviant socialization. Durkheim's ideas is also supported by Merton's theory on social structure and anomie where people respond to their position in one of five different ways including Conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists and rebellions. Where ...

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