Chapter 10 - Strain Theories Flashcards
Absolute Deprivation 10
The inability to sustain oneself physically and materially.
Anomie: weak social regulation (Durkheim)
A concept developed by Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) to describe an abscence of clear societal norms and values. Robert Merton (1910-2003) used the term more narrowly to refer to a situation in which people would adopt deviant means to achieve goals beyond their means.
Anomie: Institutional (Messner, Rosenfeld)
Strong pressures to succeed monetarily and weak restraints on the means to succeed in a society that emphasizes economics leads to crime.
Anomie: aspiration v. means gap (Merton)
Crime occurs when there is a gap beween culturally prescibed aspirations and socially structured means for realizing those aspirations.
Code of the Street
Lack of employment opportunities lead to alternative ways of achieving respect; displaying toughness, taking another’s stuff, pulling a trigger. Reputation prevents future challenges but also creates other problems.
Culturally Proscibed Aspiration 10
A rejection of the notion that aspirations are entirely self-created; rather, they are defined by culture and transmitted by other members of society
Durkheim’s Explaination of Suicide as General Explanation of Crime 10
Greater Individualism
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Lack of Social Coersion
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Suicide and Crime
Human Capital 10
The talents and capabilities that individuals contribute to the process of production. Companies, governments, and individuals can invest in human capital, just as they can invest in technology and buildings or in finances.
Opportunity Structures
Opportunity is shaped by the way the society or an institution is organized or structured.
Opportunity Structures Theory
In addition to strains that create pressure towards criminality, there are opportunity structures (legitimate and illigitimate) facilitate breaking the law.
Relative Deprivation 10
Deprivation in relation to others around you, rather than judged against an absolute standard of sustainability.
Self-Enhancing Values 10
Values that emphasize social status, prestige, dominance over others, and personal success.
Self-Transcending Values 10
Values that emphasize appreciation, tolorance, protection, and the welfare of others.
Social Structure 10
The patterned and relatively stable arrangement of roles and statuses found witin societies and social institutions.
Strain Theories (Individual) 10
General Strain (Agnew)
Adolescents in unavoidable unpleasant environments face strain leading to anger and delinquency.
Opportunity Structures (Cloward)
In addition to strains that create a pressure toward criminal behaviour, there are also different opportunity structures that may facillitate breaking the law. The structures are both legitimate and illegitimate.
Code of the Street (Anderson)
Lack of emplyment opportunities leads to alternative ways of achieving respect; displaying toughness, taking another person’s possessions, pulling a trigger. This helps build a reputation that prevents future challenges, but it also creates other problems.
