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Questions and Answers
According to Merton's anomie theory, what is the cause of crime?
According to Merton's anomie theory, what is the cause of crime?
- Lack of proper education and family values
- Unequal opportunities in society to get rich via legal means (correct)
- Inherent criminal tendencies in certain individuals
- Inadequate law enforcement and social control
According to Marxists, which groups do the agencies of social control target?
According to Marxists, which groups do the agencies of social control target?
- Working class people (correct)
- Upper class people
- Middle class people
- No specific group is targeted
What is the 'American Dream' according to Merton's theory?
What is the 'American Dream' according to Merton's theory?
- Achieving spiritual enlightenment
- Becoming rich and successful (correct)
- Working hard for personal fulfillment
- Living a simple and content life
What do some approaches attribute the bias in official crime statistics to?
What do some approaches attribute the bias in official crime statistics to?
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Which type of crimes do Marxists argue are under-recorded in official statistics?
Which type of crimes do Marxists argue are under-recorded in official statistics?
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Study Notes
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.
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