Social Structure Theories Chapter 6

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Questions and Answers

What is a stratified society?

A society that promotes equality

Grouping according to social strata or levels (correct)

A society without levels

A society based on shared values

What does the culture of poverty refer to?

The view that people in the lower class form a separate culture with its own values and norms that conflict with conventional society.

What does 'at risk' describe?

Children and adults who lack education and skills needed to be in demand in modern society.

Define the term 'underclass'.

The lowest social stratum in any country, whose members lack the education and skills to function successfully in modern society. Signup and view all the answers

What does social structure theory suggest?

It views disadvantaged economic class position as a primary cause of crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is social disorganization theory?

A branch of social structure theory focusing on the breakdown of institutions in inner-city neighborhoods. Signup and view all the answers

What does strain theory explain?

It sees crime as a function of the conflict between people's goals and the means available to obtain them. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'strain' in the context of society?

The emotional turmoil caused when people believe they cannot achieve their desires through legitimate means. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'truly disadvantaged'.

Wilson's term for the lowest level of the underclass, including socially isolated urban individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural deviance theory?

A branch of social structure theory that views strain and social disorganization as resulting in a unique lower-class culture. Signup and view all the answers

What does subculture mean?

A group that is part of the dominant culture but maintains its own unique values and traditions. Signup and view all the answers

Define cultural transmission.

The concept that conduct norms are passed down from one generation to the next. Signup and view all the answers

What is a transitional neighborhood?

An area undergoing a shift in population and structure. Signup and view all the answers

Who are social ecologists?

Social scientists who believe current trends impact human behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What are incivilities?

Rude and uncivil behavior indicating little care for others' feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Define siege mentality.

Residents who become suspicious of authority and see the outside world as an enemy. Signup and view all the answers

What is gentrification?

A residential renewal stage in which obsolete housing is replaced and upgraded. Signup and view all the answers

What does collective efficacy refer to?

Social control exerted by cohesive communities based on mutual trust. Signup and view all the answers

Who are strain theorists?

Criminologists who view crime as a direct result of lower-class frustration. Signup and view all the answers

What is relative deprivation?

The condition that exists when wealth and poverty coexist in close proximity. Signup and view all the answers

Define anomie.

A condition produced by normlessness due to shifting moral values. Signup and view all the answers

What is mechanical solidarity?

A characteristic of a pre-industrial society held together by shared values. Signup and view all the answers

What does organic solidarity mean?

A characteristic of postindustrial social systems that rely on interdependence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stratified Society: Society classifies individuals into social strata based on economic status and wealth, reflecting a hierarchy in the social structure.
Culture of Poverty: This concept suggests that individuals in lower socioeconomic classes develop a distinct culture with values that often conflict with mainstream society, perpetuating self-sustaining cycles of poverty.
At Risk: Refers to individuals lacking the necessary education and skills that are in demand in today’s economy, impacting their socio-economic mobility.
Underclass: Consists of individuals at the very bottom of the social hierarchy, often lacking essential education and skills for success in contemporary society.
Social Structure Theory: Posits that belonging to a disadvantaged economic class is a core driver of criminal behavior.
Social Disorganization Theory: Focuses on disruptions in familial, educational, and employment institutions in inner-city areas, leading to social instability and crime.
Strain Theory: Argues that crime arises from the disconnect between societal goals and the means to achieve them, leading individuals to seek alternative methods for success.
Strain: Represents emotional distress stemming from perceived obstacles to achieving personal desires and objectives, often prevalent among those with limited social support.
Truly Disadvantaged: A term denoting individuals within the most disadvantaged segment of the underclass, often isolated and facing systemic discrimination.
Cultural Deviance Theory: Merges strain and social disorganization to explain how unique lower-class cultures develop, frequently opposing mainstream social norms.
Subculture: A smaller cultural group within a larger dominant culture, sharing distinct values, beliefs, and practices.
Cultural Transmission: The process of passing down behavioral norms and values through generations, resulting in stable cultural identities and lifestyles.
Transitional Neighborhood: Areas experiencing demographic shifts, typically moving from middle to lower-class inhabitants, impacting community dynamics.
Social Ecologists: Researchers who explore how social, political, environmental, and ecological factors interplay to influence human behavior.
Incivilities: Rude behaviors reflecting a lack of consideration for others, which can undermine community cohesion.
Siege Mentality: A defensive attitude adopted by residents who view outsiders, including authorities, as threats to their community's safety and integrity.
Gentrification: The process of renewing and upgrading deteriorating urban areas, which can paradoxically lead to increases in crime rates.
Collective Efficacy: The capacity of a community to maintain social order and intervene positively in local issues, largely based on mutual trust among residents.
Strain Theorists: Criminologists who link crime to feelings of frustration and anger prevalent in lower-class populations due to blocked opportunities.
Relative Deprivation: A condition where individuals experience a sense of disadvantage compared to others nearby, contributing to criminal tendencies as a response to perceived inequality.
Anomie: A state of normlessness resulting from rapid social change, leading to confusion about acceptable behavior, and can be exacerbated by the absence of valued stimuli or the introduction of negative experiences.
Mechanical Solidarity: A characteristic of pre-industrial societies, emphasizing cohesion based on shared traditions and collective beliefs.
Organic Solidarity: Emerges in postindustrial societies, where social cohesion arises from interdependence and specialization among individuals in complex economic systems.

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This quiz covers key concepts from Chapter 6 on Social Structure Theories. Explore terms such as 'stratified society' and 'culture of poverty' to deepen your understanding of how social classes and cultures interact. Perfect for students studying sociology and related fields.