strain theories

Question 1

assumptions of strain theories

Answer 1

• motivation for crime is not an intrinsic component of human nature- humans are a blank slate
• we are naturally social and law-abiding
• roots of crime are produced by society
• criminal behaviors are normal responses to abnormal social conditions (crime is a problem solving response)

Question 2

what is anomie

Answer 2

• normlessness in society
• breakdown of social order as a result of loss of standards or values

Question 3

American society and anomie

Answer 3

• critiques American society
• anomie can be a permanent conditions
  disconnect between valued goals and means to get there produces normlessness
  American societies tend to have higher rates of crime- societies in equilibrium are those where the goals of monetary success are only valued as much as the means to achieve monetary success- goals=means
  AMERICA IS ANOMIC
• goals=economic success
• means not important
• goals> means

Question 4

elements of mertons strain

Answer 4

america is a class oriented society
- legitimate opportunities are not equally distributed- de-emphasize the means but also not everyone gets a fair chance
strain is predominantly experienced in the lower class
- in upper class members have goals AND opportunities
- in lower class members have goals BUT NOT opportunities
- strain results from a disconnect between desired goals and legitimate opportunities to achieve those goals

Question 5

mertons modes of adaption

Answer 5

conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism, rebellion
(innovation and retreatism cause deviant behavior!!)

Question 6

conformity

Answer 6

• the most common adaptation to strain
• accepts the goals and the means
• value playing by the rules but still want to succeed
• NO CRIME
• predominately middle class

Question 7

ritualism

Answer 7

• reject the goals of society but accept the means
• accept the fact that ur a “failure”
• NO CRIME

Question 8

innovation

Answer 8

• accept the goals, but reject the legitimate means to attain them
• get “creative” on how to get rich
  -CRIME

Question 9

retreatism

Answer 9

• reject the goals to society AND reject the means to attain them
• create new goals
• DRUG USE

Question 10

rebellion

Answer 10

• work to change the goals and means

Question 11

middle class measuring rod

Answer 11

Concept used to explain how poorer, lower-class children are evaluated on the same basis as their wealthier, middle and upper class counterparts lending to frustration because they do not have the same opportunities.

Question 12

Agnew’s general strain

Answer 12

• strain extends beyond monetary success
• the blockage of pain avoidance behavior
• there is very little adolescents can do to escape aversive or painful environments
• strain and stressors increase the likelihood of negative emotions like anger and frustration which can create pressure for coercive action, and crime is one possible response

Question 13

how does agnew improve on merton

Answer 13

extends the theory to juveniles, and generalizes mertons theory to apply to many circumstances- can explain more types of crime

Question 14

types of strain

Answer 14

• the failure to achieve positively valued goals
• the removal of positively valued stimuli
• the presentation of noxious (negative) stimuli
  they all produce negative emotional states/feelings