CCJS105 exam 2

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Questions and Answers

What does Durkheim suggest is the outcome of anomie in society?

Increased social conformity

Enhanced community solidarity

Crime (correct)

Economic growth

How does the mechanical model of society function according to Durkheim?

Through interdependence among specialized roles

By promoting individual ambitions

It functions through pressure to conform. (correct)

Through decentralized authority

What is a key characteristic of organic solidarity as defined by Durkheim?

Interdependence among individuals with diverse roles (correct)

Complete uniformity in societal roles

Social roles dictated by the government

Absence of laws to regulate behavior

Which factor does Durkheim associate with a breakdown of norms and the occurrence of anomie?

Rapid social changes or shocks to the system Signup and view all the answers

What criticism can be made about the assumptions of human ecology theory?

It overlooks individual behavior in social contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of subcultural theories in relation to young males?

Status concerns within established youth groups Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of gangs within social structure theory?

To provide a sense of belonging and identity Signup and view all the answers

How do anomie and strain theories impact criminology?

They highlight the relationship between societal pressures and crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the focal concerns identified by Miller related to working-class males?

Autonomy Signup and view all the answers

According to Wolfgang and Ferracutti, what is a significant consequence of not engaging in violence within lower socioeconomic communities?

Becoming a target for violence Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'fate' in Miller's theory suggest about the working-class perspective on their future?

They feel their future is predetermined Signup and view all the answers

What is not considered one of the six focal concerns according to Miller?

Authority Signup and view all the answers

What statement best reflects Anderson's view on marginalized individuals in society?

They perceive threats to their status as justification for violence. Signup and view all the answers

In Wolfgang and Ferracutti's research, what community is highlighted for a subculture of violence?

Working class, lower socioeconomic, black communities Signup and view all the answers

What factor is essential in developing self-control during early childhood?

Parental warmth and nurturance Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the delinquent behavior of working-class individuals according to Miller's theory?

Cultural norms and values of their separate culture Signup and view all the answers

Which focal concern relates to the ability to outsmart others through cleverness rather than academic intelligence?

Smartness Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT associated with individuals who commit crimes due to low self-control?

Cautious decision-making Signup and view all the answers

In self-control theory, what does 'opportunity' refer to?

A situation allowing immediate satisfaction of needs Signup and view all the answers

How can parental criminality impact a child's self-control?

It may undermine the establishment of self-control Signup and view all the answers

What concept relates to labeling a person as a criminal and its effects?

Self-fulfilling prophecy Signup and view all the answers

What perspective do social process criminologists operate from?

Symbolic Interactionism Signup and view all the answers

According to differential association theory, where does the learning of criminal behavior primarily occur?

Within intimate personal groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a principle of differential association theory?

The social context where individuals grow up does not influence behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does social learning theory offer in relation to differential association theory?

A more comprehensive understanding of the learning process Signup and view all the answers

What key element distinguishes social control theories from social learning theories according to Sowell's visions?

Stress on societal regulations and norms Signup and view all the answers

Which theory emphasizes that criminal behavior is learned from others who share values and attitudes?

Differential Association Theory Signup and view all the answers

How does labeling theory impact policy recommendations?

It emphasizes the importance of rehabilitation for offenders. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of differential association theory?

It does not account for biological influences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the attachment component of Hirschi's Social Bond Theory primarily focus on?

Emotional connections to prosocial individuals Signup and view all the answers

How does the commitment component of Social Bond Theory influence criminal behavior?

Encourages disciplined work towards a lawful career Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the involvement element in the context of Social Bond Theory?

Non-involvement in conventional activities increases the risk of crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central premise of Gottfredson and Hirschi's Low Self-Control Theory?

All crime results from a lack of self-control. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is commonly associated with individuals who have low self-control?

Focus on immediate gratification and present-oriented behavior Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Hirschi's theory, lacking which element is most likely to lead to disbelief in conventional morality?

Attachment Signup and view all the answers

What role do parental approval and discipline play in the commitment component of Social Bond Theory?

They are necessary for establishing a stake in conformity. Signup and view all the answers

How does Hirschi's concept of 'Idle hands are the devil's workshop' relate to involvement?

Active involvement in conventional activities deters criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does primary deviance refer to?

The initial act that draws attention from authorities. Signup and view all the answers

Which technique of neutralization involves the offender claiming no real offense occurred?

Denial of Injury Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the negative elements of Sykes and Matza's Neutralization Theory?

It does not address the roots of the behavior being neutralized. Signup and view all the answers

Which proposition states that criminal behavior is learned through communication?

Criminal behavior is learned in interaction with others. Signup and view all the answers

What does cognitive dissonance refer to in the context of deviant behavior?

A conflict between attitudes and behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT one of the techniques of neutralization?

Defense of Justification Signup and view all the answers

What is described as a positive aspect of Sykes and Matza's Neutralization Theory?

It reduces the overdetermined image of subcultural values. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assertion of Differential Association Theory?

Anyone can learn criminal behavior through exposure. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes 'Denial of Victim' technique?

Arguing that the victim deserved the harm they received. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of learning criminal behavior, what is essential according to the nine propositions?

Techniques and motives are both learned. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

State the basic premise of the social structural tradition.
Explain the assumptions of human ecology theory, its major findings, and criticisms.
Describe the evolution of the anomie tradition and how the various versions differ.
Discuss the basic ideas of subcultural theories, how they form, and how status concerns of young males are met in those subcultures.
Evaluate why gangs are formed, their function, and their relationship to social structure.
Evaluate the impact of anomie/strain tradition on criminology.
Debate the policy and prevention implications of social structure theories.

The Chicago School

Durkheim
Anomie: a moral confusion or gap between goals and means in society.
Mechanical solidarity: societies function like a machine, enforcing conformity through a legal system. There's no division of labor, and crime is normal.
Organic solidarity: societies interact with different parts working together. Crime occurs when this system is disrupted, such as during war or economic depression.
Outcome of Anomie is often crime. Modern societies have personal ambitions; when diverse goals cause a gap between expectations and reality, anomie develops.
Chicago School: a sociological school in the 1920s and 1930s focusing on urban ecological and ethnographic studies of Chicago.
Park and Burgess Concentric Zone Theory: The city is segmented into zones with different social characteristics. Zone 2 (transition zone) is characterized by high crime rates due to social disorganization. Zone 1 is the business district, Zone 2 is transitional (poor), and zones 3, 4, and 5 have increasing wealth and social stability.
Shaw and McKay's Social Disorganization Theory: high crime rates occur in socially disorganized areas due to a lack of social cohesion and social capital.

Strain Theories

Merton's Strain Theory (1938): Differences between Durkheim and Merton's view of anomie; Durkheim emphasizes rapid social change, while Merton sees anomie as a constant, stratified element.
Anomie arises from a gap between cultural goals and the socially structured means to attain them, especially in societies that emphasize the "American Dream."
Merton's modes of adaptation:
Conformist: Accepts goals and means
Innovator: Accepts goals but rejects means (e.g., crime)
Ritualist: Rejects goals but conforms to means
Retreatist: Rejects both goals and means (e.g., drug use)
Rebel: Rejects goals and means, seeking to replace them with new goals and means
Messner and Rosenfeld's Institutional Anomie (1994): Economic institutions dominating other societal institutions weakening external controls; imbalances in the system creating anomie.

Subcultural Theories

Cohen's (1995): Middle class measuring rod; lower class youth, unable to achieve middle-class goals, develop a subculture that rejects middle-class values in favor of their own norms.
Cloward and Ohlin's Differential Opportunity Theory: Criminality is a result of limited access to both legitimate and illegitimate opportunities, which leads to the formation of different subcultures: criminal, conflict, and retreatist.
Miller's Focal Concern Theory: Working-class values and norms differ significantly from middle-class values and norms, and this different approach to society can be problematic because the standards are different.

Social Learning Theory: Criminal behavior is learned through observation and imitation of others, differential reinforcement, and differential association.
Control Theories: Emphasize factors that prevent individuals from committing crime (e.g., attachment to others, commitment to social norms, involvement in conventional activities, belief in societal values).
Hirschi's Social Bond Theory: People who have strong bonds (attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief) to society are less likely to commit crimes.
Social Control Theories: Emphasize the importance of social bonds (e.g., attachment to family/peers, attachment to school or other institutions, beliefs and conformity) in preventing crimes. If social bonds are weak, deviance is more likely.
Labeling Theories: Individuals labeled as criminal by society are more likely to engage in further criminal behavior.
Neutralization Theory: Individuals neutralize moral constraints prior to committing crime through rationalization and justification. This is a way of justifying behaviors that are usually seen as unacceptable.

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