Anomie Theory and Deviance Quiz

Merton's Anomie Theory

• Crime arises from a disjunction between culturally approved goals and the legitimate means to achieve them.
• Individuals experience strain when society's expectations surpass their opportunities, leading to deviant behavior.

Marxist Perspective on Social Control

• Agencies of social control, such as law enforcement, primarily target working-class individuals.
• Middle and upper classes often evade scrutiny, allowing their deviant behaviors to remain hidden.

The 'American Dream' in Merton's Theory

• The 'American Dream' embodies the idea that success is achievable through hard work and determination.
• Merton argues that when individuals cannot achieve this success through legitimate means, they may resort to crime.

Bias in Official Crime Statistics

• Some approaches suggest that biases in statistics stem from the class and racial profiling embedded in law enforcement practices.
• Unequal enforcement of laws may lead to overrepresentation of certain demographics in crime statistics.

Under-recorded Crimes According to Marxists

• Marxists contend that white-collar and corporate crimes are significantly under-reported in official statistics.
• These types of crimes often escape legal scrutiny despite their societal impact, indicating a bias in crime classification.

Take the "Anomie Theory and Deviance" quiz to test your understanding of Merton's anomie theory and its explanation of different types of deviance, including crime. Explore how unequal opportunities in society lead to criminal behavior and the pursuit of the "American Dream."