Strain/Anomie Theory Flashcards
What does strain theory assume?
Humans are inherently good; consensus social order
What does strain theory focus on?
How structural characteristics influence behavior
What is anomie?
Social instability; breakdown in social norms
What are Durkheim’s 3 steps?
Strain leads to anomie leads to crime
Merton believed anomie is the product of what two things?
Social culture and social structure
How is the American Dream disjointed?
Emphasis on the goals but no emphasis on how to achieve the goals
What are Merton’s 3 steps?
Anomie leads to strain leads to crime
What are Merton’s 5 types of adaptations to strain?
Conformist, innovator, ritualist, retreatist, rebel
What is the conformist?
Accepts the goals and means (go to college to make money)
What is the innovator?
Accepts goals but rejects means (wants to make money but not through college)
What is the ritualist?
Accepts means but rejects goals (go to college because it’s a norm, not to get money)
What is the retreatist?
Rejects goals and means (drop out of school, doesn’t care about money)
What is the rebel?
Creates new goals and means
What is a crIticism of Merton and the American Dream?
Too much emphasis on American Dream —> shouldn’t there be more crime?
How does IAT redefine Merton?
The American Dream, but big emphasis on the economy
What is the IAT assumption?
Crime stems from the cultural setting
What are the 4 American values?
Achievement, individualism, universalism, fetishism of money
What are the four major institutions of IAT?
Economy, polity, family, education
What two aspects lead to crime in IAT?
Culture of the American Dream + social structure (dominance of economy)
What was cheating most increased by in Muftic article?
Universalism and fetishism
What was cheating decreased by in Muftic article?
Family and polity
What does relative deprivation theory say?
When people compare what they lack to what others have, they feel injustice (strain) which leads to crime
What are policy implications for IAT?
Deemphasize economic institution
