sociological theory Flashcards
who conducted the strain theory?
Merton
Give a summary of the strain theory
crimes causation is inequality in society
societial goals - wealth
Society has goals which measures sucess. One of them is wealth
legitimate means
gaining societial goals/values
through things such as hard work in education or a sucessful career
Strain theory - why is there inequalities within society?
Some individuals have lower opportunities.
Opportunities are blocked due to factors such as poverty or inadequate schooling
Strain theory - This inequalitiy within society causes what amongst individuals?
Individuals will face a strain
Strain theory
When individuals face a strain, what does this lead to?
Crime and deviance
Conformists
Individuals who meet societal goals
What were the 4 ways of adapting to strain according to Merton?
innovation
ritualism
retreatism
rebellion
Outline the labelling theory
The labelling theory describes no action is criminal or deviant until we create rules
What do interactionalists believe about social control agencies?
Social control agencies label certain groups as criminals
What is the result of social control agencies labelling specific groups?
Differential enforcement
Define differential enforcement
Law is more enforced on a particular group
Labelling -> _____ + _______
Crime and deviance
Define primary deviance
The actions are not publicly labelled as ‘devaint’
Secondary deviance
The results from labelling
Society treats the offender only due to their label
What is a consequence of the offender being labelled?
Rejected by society
Forced to join the company of other criminals -> a criminal subculture is made
Define self-fulfilling prophecy
Individuals learn criminal skill, and they are becoming what the label stated
Who created the subculture theory?
Clowward and ohlin
Outline what the subculture theory is
Subcultural deviance = group response to failure.
Define status frustration
A feeling of frustration experienced by individuals when they are denied the opportunity of attaining social status
What is the consequence of status frustration?
It creates a subculture with an alternative status hierarchy
List cloward and ohlins 3 subcultures
1) Criminal sc
2)conflict sc
3)retreatist sc
What is a criminal subculture (cloward and ohlins three subcultures)
a longstanding professional criminal network
