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Soc 225- Midterm 2 > Strain Theory > Flashcards

Strain Theory Flashcards

1
Q

2 Elements of anomie theory

A
  1. certain level of deviance is functional

2. beyond a certain level, deviance is dysfunctional = anomie

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2
Q

define anomie

A

sense of normlessness

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3
Q

why is a certain level of deviance functional?

A
  1. increases social solidarity
  2. helps determine moral boundaries
  3. tests society’s boundaries
  4. reduces societal tensions (speak out against deviance/crime to decrease tension)
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4
Q

why is social solidarity essential?

A

gives rise to shared goals that lead to a set of shared norms

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5
Q

when can social solidarity break down?

A

during times of rapid social change, where no clear societal norms/values are established = ANOMIE.
ie industrial revolution

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6
Q

why is industrial revolution example of anomie?

A

more manufacturing, needed more immigrants to fill jobs.

immigrants with own values + norms =/= american values + norms -> individualism in society.

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7
Q

what happens to society without norms?

A

society functions poorly

- social cohesion breaks down, social isolation is great, loses traditional social control mechanisms.

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8
Q

what happens to social system in a state of anomie?

A
  • no common values + meanings
  • new values + meanings have not developed
    = high crime rates
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9
Q

Merton’s Anomie/Strain Theory

  • where does deviance come from?
  • criticism of anomie?
  • re-define anomie?
A
  • 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
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10
Q

3 elements of Merton’s anomie definition

A
  • 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)
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11
Q

define strain?

  • from where?

- results?

A

normative social order creates unequal access to legitimate means

  • from gap btw goals + legitimate means
  • results in innovation
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12
Q

define micro-anomie

A

individual is in state of anomie, places more emphasis on self-interest than collective values

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13
Q

anomie as deprivation?

A

not about normlessness, but relative deprivation (deprived compared to others)

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14
Q

what is absolute deprivation?

A

cannot provide basic necessities of life.

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15
Q

Merton’s 5 Models of Adaptation

A 
Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
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16
Q

Conformity: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?

A

culture : accept

means: accept
criminal: NO

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17
Q

Innovation: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?

A

culture: accept
means: reject
criminal: YES

18
Q

Ritualism: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?

A

culture: reject
means: accept
criminal: NO

19
Q

Retreatism: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?

A

culture: reject
means: reject
criminal YES

20
Q

Rebellion: cultural goals; institutional means; criminal. Accepts or Rejects?

A

culture: rejects + tries to replace
means: rejects and tries to replace
criminal: YES

21
Q

Differential Opportunity Theory

A
  • how society is structured results in differential access to legitimate opportunities & differential access to illigitimate opportunities
22
Q

music examples of straing theory

A
  • 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*
23
Q

what is Agnew’s General Strain Theory

A
  • 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
24
Q

subcultural development as a result of strain

- why?

A
  • 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
25
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.
26
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
27
what is structure vs agency debate?
why 2 people in same/similar situation choose different things. - individual? or system?
28
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.
29
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
30
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.
31
self-enhancing vs self-transcending
enhance: emphasize social status, prestige, dominance over others, personal success transcend: emphasize appreciation, tolerance, protection, welfare
32
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.
33
suicide in communities
suicide + crime/deviance are inhibited in cohesive, collective thinking communities. more social cohesion = more inhibited from suicide + crime
34
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
35
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
36
strain more likely to lead to delinquency if has certain characteristics
1. high in magnitude 2. unjust 3. linked to low social control 4. if crime pays off 5. if resolved through contact with ppl involved in crime
37
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
38
how control theory, differential association theory and strain theory complement each other
1. learning theory explain delinquency by positive relations with deviant others 2. social control: delinquency occurs when juveniles have little-to attachment/social bond to others 3. agnew's strain: emphasize negative relations and experiences beyond their control lead juveniles to delinquency 4. all three reinfforce each other
39
greater class mix + reduction of crime?
advantage for those with power to segregate | - advantage for all of society to increase residential heterogeneity.
40
policy implementations?
not temp jobs make opportunities for lower class gov't institutions that alleviate strain reintegrative shame > disintegrative shame = rehab + cbt > prison

Soc 225- Midterm 2 (5 decks)

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