Chapter 2

Question 1

Functionalist Theories

Answer 1

Social structure creates deviance.

Question 2

Functionalist Core Assumptions

Answer 2

social structures fulfill functions, society is based on consensus, concern with maintaining the social order

Question 3

Durkheim’s Anomie Theory

Answer 3

a certain level of deviance is functional for society. Beyond a certain level, deviance becomes dysfunctional. The structure of society creates deviance

Question 4

Merton’s Anomie and Strain Theory

Answer 4

the assertion that people experience strain when culturally defined goals cannot be met through socially approved means

Question 5

Anomie

Answer 5

goals are more important than the means

Question 6

Strain

Answer 6

normative social order creates unequal access to legitimate means

Question 7

Merton’s Modes of Adaption to strain

Answer 7

Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism and rebellion

Question 8

Differential Opportunity Theory

Answer 8

illegitimate opportunities are not necessarily equally to all lower - and working-class individuals, people are constrained by available opportunities

Question 9

Agnew’s General Strain Theory

Answer 9

multiple causes of strain; strain + negative affect = deviance; deviance more likely if strain is unjust, severe, and unstable to be controlled

Question 10

General strain theory: Coping strategies

Answer 10

cognitive strategies, emotional strategies, behavioural strategies, think about the strain differently, reduce the negative emotions, change the source of the strain

Question 11

Status Frustration Theory

Answer 11

the structure of society is reproduced in the classroom. Children face the middle-class measuring rod.

Question 12

Functionalism Critiques

Answer 12

functionalist logic, ideology and bias

Question 13

conflict theory

Answer 13

origin from Marx: sees deviance and crime as the product of class struggle

Question 14

conflict theory argument

Answer 14

criminogenic environments and inequality/discrimination in policing and punishment

Question 15

Poverty trap

Answer 15

Question 16

Symbolic Interactionalism core assumptions

Answer 16

processes of learning cause deviance, different learning process are highlighted by various learning theories

Question 17

differential association theory

Answer 17

criminal behaviour occurs when our assocation with definitions favourable to crime outweighs our definitons favorable to law-abiding beahviour. Same learning process for both deviance and conformity. Small, intimate groups. Interactions are influenced by: frequency, duration, priority and intensity

Question 18

Neutralization Theory

Answer 18

by rationalizing their behaviour, they can convince themselves that what they are doing is not really wrong.

1. Denial of responsibility
2. Denial of injury
3. denial of the victim
4. codemnation of the condemners
5. appealing to higher loyalities

Question 19

Social Learning Theory

Answer 19

all behaviour is the result of definitions, differential association, initation and differential reinforcement

Question 20

Critiques of Learning Theories

Answer 20

differential association = methodological critiques, critique of “escape clause”

Neutralization theory = failure to address normative contexts, techniques of neutralization, or techniques of justification

Question 21

Social Control theory assumptions

Answer 21

deviance is inherently attractive, yet most of us do not engage in deviance, focus on what causes conformity, rather than what causes deviance

Question 22

Social Bonds Theory

Answer 22

There are 4 differnet types of social bonds that keep us from being deviant: attachment, commitment, involvment, belief

Question 23

Self-control Theory

(General theory of crime)

Answer 23

self-control restrains us:

• determined by parenting in early life
• remains relatively stable through life

Question 24

Social control Theory Critiques

Answer 24

definition of self-control is tautological, peer associations are ignored and unable to explain the pursuit of anti-social deviance versus thrill-seeking behaviours.