Unit 2 AC2.3 Social Structure Flashcards
Who theorised the Social Disorganisation Theory?
Shaw and McKay
What did Shaw and McKay assume about criminality?
When people move into cities, they often start out living in poorer areas with cheaper housing. Such areas have low levels of social cohesion and community. They become difficult to manage by the police because people don’t generally keep an eye out for strangers or report unusual activities.
Zone of Transition
People moving in and out of a city at a faster rate than other areas.
What do functionalists believe about crime?
crime is inevitable and is present in all societies. Crime rates are higher in societies that place less emphasis on the economy and the value of wealth.
Who theorised the Anomie & Strain Theory?
Robert Merton
Who theorised the Status Frustration Theory?
Albert Cohen
What does the Strain Theory suggest?
In western societies, there is much emphasis placed on the value of material wealth. However, the gap between the cultural goals and the institutionalized means of achieving them puts strain on individuals.
How do individuals respond to the strain of western society?
- Conformity
- Innovation
- Ritualism
- Retreatism
Conformity
Most people conform to both the same goals and the conventional/legal means of achieving them. This is why stability and continuity of a society is maintained
Innovation
Occurs when people still value the cultural goals but reject the institutionalized means of achieving them. Thus, individuals are free to obtain the goals by the most efficient means necessary, which can often be crime (e.g., stealing, prostitution, drug dealing)
Ritualism
Occurs when people reject the cultural goals but still value the institutionalized means. Individual just goes through the motions
Retreatism
Occurs when people reject both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means. Can include the activities of psychotics, psychoneurotics, drug addicts, and alcoholics
What does Cohen argue?
In working-class areas, youths must solve the problem of not being able to obtain middle-class status.They experience status frustration. Can achieve financial success through crime; however, cannot achieve other aspects of middle-class status (e.g., respect) through crime. Thus, lower- and working-class boys adapt to their goal blockage by setting up a deviant subculture, such as a gang, in which they can achieve status through delinquent means.
What do Functionalists believe causes crime?
Our culture and its emphasis on earning material wealth.
What do Marxists believe causes crime?
Capitalist society
