Ch 10. Consensus & Strain Theories of Crime

Question 1

most people share similar values; morality is universal, customs persist, and the law represents a codification of societal values

Answer 1

Consensus Perspective

Question 2

criminal law reflects the interests of the powerful groups that create and enforce those laws

Answer 2

Conflict Perspective

Question 3

Strain Theories fall under the umbrella of

Answer 3

Consensus Theories

Question 4

Social institutions all contribute to the smooth running of society

Crime occurs when something unusual happens that affects these institutions

This results in strains, stresses, and frustrations that affect behaviour

Answer 4

Strain Theories (under consensus theories)

Question 5

He contributed to consensus theory by saying essential to most societies is social solidarity which are shared goals that lead to a set of norms, and without norms to guide them, societies function poorly. He popularized the concept of anomie (no norm) to explain crime in more advanced and differentiated urban societies.

Answer 5

Emilie Durkheim

Question 6

In times of rapid social change, social solidarity can break down; there are no clear societal norms/values. Heterogeneity and increased division of labour weaken societal norms, loosen social controls, and encourage individualism. When social cohesion breaks down and social isolation is great, society experiences a high rate of crime as they lose social control.

Answer 6

Anomie (normlessness)

Question 7

Crime occurs for Durkheim when…

Answer 7

…social cohesion breaks down, and society loses its traditional mechanisms of social controls, suffering from anomie

Question 8

He said there is a strain between aspirations and means. The gap between culturally prescribed aspirations defined by culture (material success) and when those who do not have legitimate means to achieve these aspirations (like schooling/good jobs), this is what causes crime.

Answer 8

Merton

Question 9

When individuals have a gap between socially prescribed aspirations and do not have legitimate means to achieve these aspirations, it causes…

Answer 9

…micro-anomie (merton)

Question 10

(merton) When an individual accepts goals and accept institutionalized means

Answer 10

conformity

Question 11

(merton) when an individual rejects cultural goals but accepts institutionalized means

Answer 11

ritualism
(ex. charity/non-profit)

Question 12

(merton) when an individual accepts cultural goals but rejects institutionalized means

Answer 12

innovation
(ex. entrepreneurs, get rich quick schemes)

Question 13

(merton) when an individual rejects cultural goals and also rejects institutionalized means

Answer 13

retreatism
(ex. van life)

Question 14

(merton) individuals that recreate new goals and new means that are in objection to the culture’s culture and goals.

Answer 14

rebellion

Question 15

What are the five terms for Merton’s deviance types? (explain them)

Answer 15

1. Conformity
2. Ritualism
3. Innovation
4. Retreatism
5. Rebellion

Question 16

Bernard (1987) says strain/anomie are properties of social structures. cultures that overemphasize monetary success and underemphasize legitimate means will have…

Answer 16

…high rates of instrumental crime.

Question 17

Bernard (1987) also says that if legitimate opportunities to achieve monetary goals are unevenly distributed…

Answer 17

…instrumental crime will be unevenly distributed.

Question 18

The North American Dream emphasizes monetary success, but places less emphasis on legitimate means of achieving that success. There are weak restraints on the means which encourages people to use illegal means to obtain money and status and indirectly encourages crime by emphasizing the economy above all other institutions.

Answer 18

Messner and Rosenfeld’s (2007) theory of institutional anomie

Question 19

Reductions in the unethical behaviour of corporate executives and other powerful people would lead to a…

Answer 19

…reduction in all crime, including street crimes. Thus we can reduce crime by changing the behaviour of the elite.

Question 20

Adolescents in an unpleasant + stressful environment which they cannot escape = frustration/anger = no coping = violence/delinquency.

Strain is mediated by other factors to provide delinquency such as bullying or doing poorly at school and crime happens when individuals can’t develop strategies.

Answer 20

Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory

Question 21

Robert Agnew said that strain can be experienced directly, but it can also be anticipated and vicarious. For example, if someone anticipates being attacked on the way to school, or anticipates doing poorly at school…

Answer 21

…one may skip school, which could lead to other problems.

Question 22

(Richard Cloward) Young people undergoing strain could be led to three different types of gangs or subcultures

Answer 22

1. Criminal - profit-oriented crimes
2. Conflict - gang violence as a means of attaining status, at least among peers
3. Retreatist - substance abuse

Question 23

(Richard Cloward) People under strain cannot become any kind of criminal they choose…

Answer 23

…they are limited by the opportunities available to them, whether that be criminal, conflict, or retreatist.

Question 24

For socially marginalized groups they can experience strain that isn’t merely from material/economic success…

Answer 24

…social inclusion, discrimination, and community strain is experienced also and causes strain.

Question 25

According to Agnew, social marginilization also causes strain. However, resistance to social marginalization can appear as…

Answer 25

…deviance rather than an attempt of social inclusion.

Question 26

young black males experience social strain because of barriers to participate in mainstream society and the lack of opportunity for legitimate employment leads to crime, gangs, and involvement in underground economy - such as the drug trade. The code involves toughness + violence to earn status and respect, and creation of own social facts/norms for belonging + success

Answer 26

Anderson’s idea of social strain when there’s barriers to acceptance for marginalized groups, called The Code of The Street (1999)

Question 27

For Merton, crime occurs when…

Answer 27

…there is a gap between culturally prescribed aspirations and socially structured means for realizing those aspirations

Question 28

For Messner and Rosenfeld, crime is related to institutional anomie because strong pressures to succeed monetarily and weak…

Answer 28

…restraints on the means to succeed in a society that emphasizes economics leads to crime

Question 29

(Konty 2005) found that students who favoured self-enhancing values over self-transcending values were more likely to have reported criminal/deviant acts. What are those values?

Answer 29

self-enhancing values: social status, prestige, dominance, personal success
self-transcending values: appreciation, tolerance, protection, welfare of otheres

Question 30

Strain alone does not always produce delinquency, but if they have the following characteristics, they will likely lead to delinquency:

Answer 30

• High in magnitude
• Unjust
• Linked to low social control
• when the crime pays off
• when the strain is resolved through contact with people who are involved with crime.

Question 31

the basis for strain goes beyond material and economic factors to include…

Answer 31

…social marginalization caused by family strain, educational strain, discrimination, and community strain