Unit 4 - Social Structure Theories

Question 1

Stratified Society

Answer 1

Society is divided into groups according to hierarchies or levels, such as economic class

Question 2

Social Classes

Answer 2

Segments of the population whose members are at a relatively similar economic level and who share attitudes, values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle

Question 3

Culture of Poverty

Answer 3

A separate, lower-class structure characterized by apathy, helplessness, and a mistrust of social institutions such as schools, government agencies, and the police - passed on through generations

People in poverty develop habits that cause the poverty to stay generations

Question 4

Underclass

Answer 4

The lowest social group, whose members lack the education and skills needed to function “successfully” in society

Question 5

Strain Theory

Answer 5

A theory that proposes that crime is the result of the strain put on people when they are not able to achieve norms of society through legitimate means so they turn to criminal behaviour to meet norms.

Question 6

Basic Components of Strain Theory

Answer 6

1. Poverty - lack of opportunities, discrimination
2. Maintenance of conventional rules & norms - lower class people follow rules of middle class culture
3. Strain - frustration produced by lack of opportunity/ability
4. Formation of Gangs & Groups - formation of illegal groups to achieve goals
5. Crime & Delinquency - group norms (theft, violence) are defined as illegal by dominant culture
6. Criminal Careers - most youth gang members age out of crime

Question 7

Anomie

Answer 7

State of normlessness where people feel disconnected from society because they don’t see their norms and values in society. They feel like they don’t belong, hopelessness = encourages deviance and crime

Question 8

Conformity

Answer 8

Occurs when a person follows conventional norms of society and has the means to attain them. They are law-abiding.

Question 9

Innovation

Answer 9

Occurs when people accept the goals of society but can’t attain them through legitimate means, so they seek creative solutions (often criminal)

Question 10

Ritualism

Answer 10

Occurs when people reject societal norms but still participate in the means of attaining them. Internal deviance/rejectance but not externally.

Question 11

Rebellion

Answer 11

Occurs when an alternate set of goals and means are substituted for the conventional ones. People engage in alternative lifestyles, goals, and beliefs to promote radical change.

Question 11

Retreatism

Answer 11

Occurs when a person rejects goals and means of society. They withdraw/isolate from society both physically and mentally to escape their lack of success.