Strain Theories

Question 1

what did emile durheim think of crime

Answer 1

crime was a symptom of the disintegration of societies

Question 2

what is the purpose of shared norms and goals in a society

Answer 2

provide sense of community and social solidarity
foster adherence

Question 3

what happens when societies lack cohesion

Answer 3

lack of cohesion = decreased sense of purpose, increase in suicide and crimes

Question 4

what is another thing that happens when there is a lack of social cohesion

Answer 4

Anomie
- lack of agreement over rules and norms
- decreased sense of community

Question 5

what are the 2 different societies identified by Robert K. Merton

Answer 5

cohesive societies: based on collective values (fairness, equality, justice)

Anomic societies: based on self-interested values ( wealth, status, power)

Question 6

what are prescribed aspirations

Answer 6

a specific goal

Question 7

what are socially-structured means

Answer 7

the positive/legal ways of achieving them

Question 8

what is the gap between prescribed aspirations and socially-structured means

Answer 8

the sense of relative deprivation and strain

which then leads to innovation and/or crime

Question 9

what is relative deprivation

Answer 9

the sense that other people have more access and means