Podcast
Questions and Answers
What concept describes the disconnection between legitimate goals and the means to achieve them?
What concept describes the disconnection between legitimate goals and the means to achieve them?
According to Merton’s Strain Theory, what can crime be considered as?
According to Merton’s Strain Theory, what can crime be considered as?
What increases as the gulf between legitimate goals and the means to achieve them expands?
What increases as the gulf between legitimate goals and the means to achieve them expands?
Which theory posits that crime arises from differing values about acceptable behavior?
Which theory posits that crime arises from differing values about acceptable behavior?
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What term describes the economic and social gap experienced by those living near wealth?
What term describes the economic and social gap experienced by those living near wealth?
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Which of the following represents a clash of socially acquired norms that can lead to crime?
Which of the following represents a clash of socially acquired norms that can lead to crime?
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What social phenomena can increase frustrations amongst those experiencing relative deprivation?
What social phenomena can increase frustrations amongst those experiencing relative deprivation?
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What is a primary example of culture conflict arising from differing norms?
What is a primary example of culture conflict arising from differing norms?
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What is the primary focus of subcultural theory in relation to crime?
What is the primary focus of subcultural theory in relation to crime?
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Which type of delinquent subculture emphasizes status through violence?
Which type of delinquent subculture emphasizes status through violence?
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According to Ferracuti and Wolfgang, violence is learned within what context?
According to Ferracuti and Wolfgang, violence is learned within what context?
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What does Elijah Anderson's concept of the 'Code of the Street' primarily revolve around?
What does Elijah Anderson's concept of the 'Code of the Street' primarily revolve around?
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What recent initiative aimed to reduce crime rates by addressing social conditions?
What recent initiative aimed to reduce crime rates by addressing social conditions?
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Which of the following is NOT identified as a type of delinquent subculture?
Which of the following is NOT identified as a type of delinquent subculture?
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The concept that violence is expected and legitimized within certain subcultures is referred to as what?
The concept that violence is expected and legitimized within certain subcultures is referred to as what?
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What type of subculture primarily associates with drug use and withdrawal from society?
What type of subculture primarily associates with drug use and withdrawal from society?
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What does the macro perspective in sociological theories focus on?
What does the macro perspective in sociological theories focus on?
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Which theory focuses on the impact of neighborhood environments on crime rates?
Which theory focuses on the impact of neighborhood environments on crime rates?
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Shaw and McKay's concentric zone model primarily studied what aspect of social behavior?
Shaw and McKay's concentric zone model primarily studied what aspect of social behavior?
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What does the term 'cultural transmission' refer to in the context of delinquency?
What does the term 'cultural transmission' refer to in the context of delinquency?
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Which of the following is NOT considered a factor in social ecology?
Which of the following is NOT considered a factor in social ecology?
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What is meant by 'lack of collective efficacy' in a community?
What is meant by 'lack of collective efficacy' in a community?
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Strain theory, proposed by Merton, primarily addresses what issue in society?
Strain theory, proposed by Merton, primarily addresses what issue in society?
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Culture conflict theory suggests that crime arises from what kind of dynamics?
Culture conflict theory suggests that crime arises from what kind of dynamics?
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Study Notes
Sociological Theories
- Sociological Theories examine:
- Social structures within a society
- Interactions among social institutions, individuals, and groups
- Socialization and impact on social behavior
- They offer a macro perspective, focusing on the big picture.
Social Structure Theories
-
Social Disorganization Theory
- Focuses on ecological approach
- Explores good vs. bad neighborhoods as factors in social structure theories
-
Strain Theory (Merton)
- Anomie: A disjunction arises between legitimate goals and socially approved means to achieve success, which are not evenly available to all members of society.
- Crime is an alternative means to success.
- Strain increases as the gulf between goals and necessary means widens.
- Not everyone accepts the legitimacy of socially approved goals.
-
Culture Conflict Theory (Cultural Deviance Theory)
- The root cause of crime lies in different values about acceptable or proper behavior.
- Conduct norms are expectations for human behavior within a social group.
- Acquired early in life through childhood socialization
- Clash of norms between variously socialized groups results in crime.
- Primary: Honor killing
- Secondary: Whites of West Virginia
- Lower class culture vs. dominant culture.
Concentric Zones
- Shaw and McKay applied the concentric zone model to the study of delinquency.
- They found that offending rates remained consistent over time within zones of transition.
- Delinquent traditions are transmitted through successive generations within the same zone.
Social Ecology
- Factors contributing to social ecology:
- Broken Windows
- Poverty Concentration
- Chronic Unemployment
- Community Fear
- Community Change
- Lack of Collective Efficacy (Do we care for one another? Our ‘Hood?)
Merton's Strain Theory (Further Explanation)
- Anomie arises when there is a gap between culturally valued goals (e.g., wealth, success) and the legitimate means of achieving those goals.
- Individuals may adapt to this strain in various ways:
- Conformity: Accepting both the goals and means.
- Innovation: Accepting goals but rejecting means (e.g., criminal activity).
- Ritualism: Rejecting goals but accepting means (e.g., following rules but not striving for success).
- Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means (e.g., dropping out of society).
- Rebellion: Rejecting both goals and means and attempting to replace them.
Relative Deprivation
- Relative deprivation refers to the economic and social gap between the rich and poor who live in close proximity.
- Having wealth "in your face" creates greater anger and frustration.
Subcultural Theory (Examples)
- Subcultural theory examines how various socialized cultural groups contribute to crime.
- Subculture: A collection of values and preferences communicated through socialization.
- Delinquent subcultures:
- Criminal subcultures: Criminal role models readily available (e.g., brother is a gang member).
- Conflict subcultures: Status achieved through violence (e.g., Hell's Angels).
- Retreatist subcultures: Drug use and withdrawal from wider society (e.g., Hippies).
Violent Subcultures
- Ferracuti and Wolfgang argued that violence is a learned adaptation to problematic life circumstances within a subculture emphasizing violence over other forms of adaptation.
- Violent subcultures expect and legitimize violence, often associated with urban survival syndrome.
The Code of the Street
- Elijah Anderson: Contemporary street code emphasizes a hyper-inflated notion of manhood based on the idea of respect.
- This code can lead to violence and crime as individuals seek to maintain their reputation and avoid being seen as weak.
Policy Implications
- Chicago Area Project: Focused on eliminating slums.
- Sesame Street and The Electric Company: Aiming to improve access to education for underserved children.
- Community Policing: Trying to build trust between police and communities.
- War on Poverty: Tried to reduce crime rates by redistributing wealth in American society ($10,000,000,000,000 spent).
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Description
This quiz explores various sociological theories, focusing on social structures, interactions among institutions, and the impact of socialization on behavior. Key theories such as Social Disorganization, Strain Theory, and Culture Conflict Theory will be examined to understand their implications on crime and social dynamics.
