Strain Theory Flashcards
2 Elements of anomie theory
- certain level of deviance is functional
2. beyond a certain level, deviance is dysfunctional = anomie
define anomie
sense of normlessness
why is a certain level of deviance functional?
- increases social solidarity
- helps determine moral boundaries
- tests society’s boundaries
- reduces societal tensions (speak out against deviance/crime to decrease tension)
why is social solidarity essential?
gives rise to shared goals that lead to a set of shared norms
when can social solidarity break down?
during times of rapid social change, where no clear societal norms/values are established = ANOMIE.
ie industrial revolution
why is industrial revolution example of anomie?
more manufacturing, needed more immigrants to fill jobs.
immigrants with own values + norms =/= american values + norms -> individualism in society.
what happens to society without norms?
society functions poorly
- social cohesion breaks down, social isolation is great, loses traditional social control mechanisms.
what happens to social system in a state of anomie?
- no common values + meanings
- new values + meanings have not developed
= high crime rates
Merton’s Anomie/Strain Theory
- where does deviance come from?
- criticism of anomie?
- re-define anomie?
- deviance emerges from structure of society, not just from individual
- if anomie was widespread, why wasnt crime widespread?
- anomie: dysfunction between institutionalized goals + legitimate means
3 elements of Merton’s anomie definition
- goals > means (be rich, powerful regardless of how u get there)
- goals are culturally prescribed (american dream, sold a certian life)
- legitimate means are socially structured (not evenly distributed in society; easier when raised in wealthier family)
define strain?
- from where?
- results?
normative social order creates unequal access to legitimate means
- from gap btw goals + legitimate means
- results in innovation
define micro-anomie
individual is in state of anomie, places more emphasis on self-interest than collective values
anomie as deprivation?
not about normlessness, but relative deprivation (deprived compared to others)
what is absolute deprivation?
cannot provide basic necessities of life.
Merton’s 5 Models of Adaptation
Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion
Conformity: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?
culture : accept
means: accept
criminal: NO
Innovation: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?
culture: accept
means: reject
criminal: YES
Ritualism: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?
culture: reject
means: accept
criminal: NO
Retreatism: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?
culture: reject
means: reject
criminal YES
Rebellion: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?
culture: rejects + tries to replace
means: rejects and tries to replace
criminal: YES
Differential Opportunity Theory
- how society is structured results in differential access to legitimate opportunities & differential access to illigitimate opportunities
music examples of straing theory
- rockstar, nickelback
- biggie smalls
- lose yourself, eminem
- started from the bottom, drake
- misconceptions, went from poor to illegitimate means before they got big. now living american dream*
what is Agnew’s General Strain Theory
- address the shortcomings of the original anomie-strain theory ( couldn’t account for rich, white criminals)
- diff sources of strain in diff groups
- teen strain = immediate sources: image, popularity, trouble with parents
- if don’t get away from these strains = crime + deviance
subcultural development as a result of strain
- why?
- lower-class males in gangs had similar aspirations as middle/upper-class males, found unable to compete successfully for social status.
= status deprivation - reject unattainable goals + replace with unconventional, attainable goals
strain in regent park toronto
- rap group
- changes in the area
physical minorities, young people, neighbourhood kids, lower SES
- many in the community loved the group, even tho they were involved in crime/gangs
- gentrified, revilatilized. trying to create change, many in uni, many dead bc involved in crime.
what is agency?
actor is embodied unit and can choose to intervene into ongoing sequence of events
- person is agent with causal powers: actions are voluntary
- person could have acted otherwise
- conception of the agent ties agency to power
what is structure vs agency debate?
why 2 people in same/similar situation choose different things.
- individual? or system?
what is structure?
- social/economic/political context in which action occurs.
- human actor is NOT ultimate social reality: situated human actor. social system have influence
- specific conditions produce human actions/behaviour
- individuals act as a result + through constraints and structures in which they exist.
Anderson’s Code of the Street
- barriers to participate in mainstream society persist for young black males
- lack of opportunity for legitimate employment = strain = crime, gangs etc.
- code of street involves toughness + demand for respect
- provides rules for keeping others safe. can increase violence, but makes rules on WHEN violence should occur
street code in regent park
- major criminals ran the block, where respected, communicated with the individuals.
- pushed out of neighbourhood, so young guys took over.
- didn’t know street code = problematic - dont share beef to protect everyone, brought violence into backyards.
self-enhancing vs self-transcending
enhance: emphasize social status, prestige, dominance over others, personal success
transcend: emphasize appreciation, tolerance, protection, welfare
self-enhance/transcend - when does crime happen?
self-transcending are low and self-enhancing are high.
- individual > collective
- male more likely to have individual > collective.
suicide in communities
suicide + crime/deviance are inhibited in cohesive, collective thinking communities.
more social cohesion = more inhibited from suicide + crime
criticism of Merton’s anomie
is not psychological or social, properties of social structures.
- Merton would predict that emphasis on monetary success + underemphasis of legit means = high rates of crimes
subculture of power abuse
- how to reduce?
- lack of enforcement on white-collar crime enables it.
- reducing unethical behaviour could reduce ALL crime: target immoral acts, use legislation + enforcement, teach in family, pay more attention to crimes of powerful
strain more likely to lead to delinquency if has certain characteristics
- high in magnitude
- unjust
- linked to low social control
- if crime pays off
- if resolved through contact with ppl involved in crime
3 responses to strain that could lead to joining a gang.subculture
criminal: barriers - where to sell property
conflict: means of attaining status: barriers here, fighting, courage, bravery, good rep
retreatist: using drugs, practically no barriers
how control theory, differential association theory and strain theory complement each other
- learning theory explain delinquency by positive relations with deviant others
- social control: delinquency occurs when juveniles have little-to attachment/social bond to others
- agnew’s strain: emphasize negative relations and experiences beyond their control lead juveniles to delinquency
- all three reinfforce each other
greater class mix + reduction of crime?
advantage for those with power to segregate
- advantage for all of society to increase residential heterogeneity.
policy implementations?
not temp jobs
make opportunities for lower class
gov’t institutions that alleviate strain
reintegrative shame > disintegrative shame = rehab + cbt > prison
