Early sociological theories Flashcards
Merton on the concept of Anomie
A situation whereby the norms of a society lose their hold over its members; erosion of values.
Anomie occurred during times of great economic struggle.
For Merton anomie was everpresent and resulted from the inability of citizens to attain their dream.
Anomie was a term first coined by Durkheim.
Merton’s strain theory
Conformity - people accept that they must play by the rules.
Innovation - people develop alternative means of achieving the goal.
Ritualism - people focus on the means and loose sight of the end goal.
Retreatism - reject the goal and the means e.g. you just give up.
Rebellion - alternative goals are pursued by alternative means e.g. hippies.
Deprivation and strain
Deprivation takes multiple forms.
Growing inequality fuels relative deprivation even if all are getting better.
The decline of social mobility
Social mobility is the movement up through the social hierarchy.
In today’s world the born poor will stay poor.
Wealth, privilege and influence are passed down from generation to elite families.
The idea of a glass ceiling and glass floors.
Cohen - delinquent boys
boys created delinquent sub-cultures to retrieve the self-esteem crushed by schools.
These sub cultures have their own definition of right and wrong, its meaningful to those involved.
The underclass
the group at the bottom of society. they are isolated from other social classes.
long term unemployment
female headed house holds.
no skills or training for the labour market.
Underclass: Structural forces
Work by William Wilson. The underclass are victims they are the result of globalisation and economic structures.
Wilson’s explanations for structures
Those educated are able to work in the city for more pay.
Lack of work puts pressure on families.
the unemployable man was seen as poor marriage material.
Values at odds with mainstream values.
