Module 6: Strain Theory Flashcards
Strain Theory
Social institutions normally all contribute to the smooth running of society. Crime occurs when something unusual happens that affects some or all institutions. Creates strains, stresses, frustrations.
Social Structure
The patterned and relatively stable arrangement of roles and statuses found within societies and social institutions.
Culturally Prescribed Aspirations
Aspirations are not entirely self-created; defined by culture and transmitted by other members of society.
Merton’s Five Forms of Adaptations
Conformity Ritualism Innovation Retreatism Rebellion.
Conformity
Accept mainstream goals and has legitimate means to achieve them.
Ritualism
Goals are less important, but means are still adhered to.
Innovation
Accept mainstream goals, but reject, or are unable to use legitimate means.
Retreatism
Reject societal goals and means.
Rebellion
Reject goals and means by replacing them with alternative goals and means.
Durkheim Strain Theory
Anomie (weak social regulation).
Modernity leads to the weakening of social controls, and rates of deviance increased.
Merton Strain Theory
Anomie (the gap between aspirations and means).
Crime occurs when there is a gap between culturally prescribed aspirations and socially structured means for realizing those aspirations.
Messner, Rosenfeld
Institutional Anomie.
Strong pressures to succeed monetarily and weak restraints on the means to succeed in a society that emphasizes economics leads to crime.
Agnew
General Strain.
Adolescents in unavoidable unpleasant environments face strain leading to anger and delinquency.
Cloward
Opportunity Structures.
In addition to strains that create pressure towards criminal behaviour, there are different opportunity structures that may facilitate breaking the law (both legitimate and illegitimate).
Anderson
Code of the Street.
Lack of employment opportunities lead to alternative ways of achieving respect; displaying toughness, taking other’s possessions, pulling a trigger. Builds reputation and prevents future challenges while creating other problems.
Cohen
Middle-Class Measuring Rod. The goals and values that middle-class people hold function as social goals, which creates a source of strain for lower-class people. Retreat, conform, or reaction formation.
Consensus Perspective
Most people share similar values; morality is universal’, customs persist, and law represents a codification of societal values.
Conflict Perspective
Criminal law reflects the interests of the powerful groups that create and enforce those laws.
Anomie
An absence of clear societal norms and values (Durkheim), or situation in which people would adopt deviant means to achieve goals beyond their means (Merton).
Self-Enhancing Values
Values that emphasize social status, prestige, dominance over others, and personal success.
Self-Transcending Values
Values that emphasize appreciation, tolerance, protection, and the welfare of others.
Opportunity Structure
Opportunity is shaped by the way the society or an institution is organized or structured.
Relative Deprivation
Deprivation in relation to others around you, rather than judged against an absolute standard.
Absolute Deprivation
The inability to sustain oneself physically and materially.
Human Capital
The talents and capabilities that individuals contribute to the governments.
