Sociology: Anomie and Deviance Insights

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Questions and Answers

What is the term used for excessive individuation that leads to feelings of loneliness and disconnection?

Fatalistic suicide

Egoistic suicide (correct)

Anomic suicide

Altruistic suicide

Which mode of adaptation involves accepting social goals but rejecting the means to achieve them?

Ritualism

Conformity

Innovation (correct)

Rebellion

How does deviance function in society according to the presented concepts?

It tests boundaries and can lead to social change. (correct)

It maintains the status quo without change.

It only creates social tensions.

It indicates a lack of moral values.

Which type of suicide is associated with social deregulation and rapid social change?

Anomic suicide Signup and view all the answers

What does Merton argue is the primary issue with the American Dream concept?

It is unrealistic given the available means. Signup and view all the answers

What event is cited as an example of deviance testing moral boundaries?

The Civil Rights movement Signup and view all the answers

Which type of suicide is characterized by excessive social regulation and a lack of personal autonomy?

Fatalistic suicide Signup and view all the answers

Merton's analysis of social structure and anomie places emphasis on which level of analysis?

Macro level Signup and view all the answers

What term describes actions or statements made before the act of deviance?

Neutralization Signup and view all the answers

According to Hirschi's Control/Bond Theory, what primarily prevents individuals from engaging in deviance?

Integration in the social system Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of 'attachment' in preventing delinquency, according to Hirschi's theory?

It fosters affection and sensitivity to others. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'commitment' in Hirschi's theory refer to?

Rational investments in societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

What statement reflects Hirschi's view on 'involvement'?

It is not significantly predictive of delinquent behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT a factor in Hirschi’s reasons for not engaging in deviance?

Opportunity Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion did Hirschi reach regarding attachment to parents and delinquency?

High attachment correlates with less delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

According to Hirschi's critiques, how does he view the severity of minor crimes compared to serious ones?

Shoplifting can indicate a greater predisposition to serious crime. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily contributes to the deviance of the poor, according to the provided content?

Alienation and deprivation Signup and view all the answers

Which group has historically faced criminalization during protests like the G20 summit and Occupy Wall Street?

Protestors advocating for workers' rights Signup and view all the answers

According to Marxist conflict theory, what is often used to legitimize the disparity between the wealthy and the poor?

Cultural ideologies Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of deviant subcultures did the University of Chicago's early 20th-century anthropological influence highlight?

Their connection to dominant cultural norms Signup and view all the answers

Which technique of neutralization involves assigning blame to external factors for one's actions?

Denial of responsibility Signup and view all the answers

Which theory by Albert Cohen addresses the formation and reasons behind subcultures?

General Theory of Subcultures Signup and view all the answers

How do offenders use the technique of denial of victim?

By claiming that the victim deserved it Signup and view all the answers

What did Robert Park's sociological approach emphasize regarding urban environments?

Natural economies with norms and values Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'metaphor of the ledger' imply about an offender's actions?

Offenders balance their good and bad deeds over time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the origins of crime?

Personal choice Signup and view all the answers

How do laws generally impact the sentencing of the wealthy versus the poor, according to the information shared?

Wealthy individuals are often leniently punished compared to the poor. Signup and view all the answers

What criticism is raised regarding the techniques of neutralization theory?

It overemphasizes the role of guilt in all offenders Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Sykes and Matza's findings, what does 'condemning the condemners' allow offenders to do?

Diminish the moral authority of their critics Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves committing an act due to loyalty to a cause perceived as greater?

Appeal to higher loyalties Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding juvenile delinquents as noted by Sykes and Matza?

They oscillate between delinquent and conforming behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What role does 'defense of necessity' play in the context of techniques of neutralization?

It justifies crime by citing an unavoidable circumstance. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary reasons individuals with deviant interests seek online communities?

To validate their self-identity and find belonging Signup and view all the answers

What aspect distinguishes online subcultures from offline ones?

Anonymity and the ability to try on new identities Signup and view all the answers

In the context of cyber communities for self-injurers, what do these individuals primarily experience?

A shared identity and understanding Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the phenomenon where individuals with similar troubled backgrounds gather online around shared interests?

Subcultures of fascination Signup and view all the answers

What notion is central to the identity of individuals in the involuntary celibate (incel) subculture?

Violence and aggression towards society Signup and view all the answers

How does Cohen's model relate to online subcultures today?

It continues to apply, despite status differences not being as clear Signup and view all the answers

What element do online communities provide that facilitates member interaction?

Less mitigation by space and time Signup and view all the answers

In the case of school shootings, what aspect did the community members exhibit?

A yearning for belonging through shared interests Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anomie and Suicide

Durkheim identified four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic.
Egoistic suicide is characterized by excessive individualism and a lack of social integration.
Altruistic suicide occurs when individuals are overly integrated into a group or organization.
Anomic suicide results from a breakdown of social norms and regulations, leaving individuals feeling lost and disoriented.
Fatalistic suicide arises from excessive social control and regulation, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Deviance

Deviance refers to any behavior that violates social norms and expectations.
Deviance can challenge existing social boundaries, bring about social change, and provide a release valve for social tensions.

Merton's Strain Theory

Merton argued that deviance arises from a discrepancy between culturally valued goals and the legitimate means to achieve them.
He identified five modes of individual adaptation to this strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

Techniques of Neutralization

Sykes and Matza proposed that individuals rationalize and neutralize their deviant acts to reduce guilt and maintain a sense of moral legitimacy.
Techniques of neutralization include denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of victim, appeal to higher loyalties, and condemning the condemners.

Hirschi's Control Theory

Hirschi argued that social bonds act as a form of social control, preventing individuals from engaging in deviant behavior.
He identified four types of social bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief.

Marxist Conflict Theory

Marxist conflict theory suggests that deviance is a product of power relations and social inequality.
The powerful use their resources to define and criminalize behaviors that threaten their interests.

Deviant Subcultures

Deviant subcultures are groups with distinct values, attitudes, and behaviors that deviate from dominant culture.
Subcultures often emerge as a response to social marginalization or shared problems.

Online Subcultures

Online subcultures exhibit many similarities to offline subcultures but also possess unique qualities.
Anonymity, ephemeral membership, and the ability to "try on" new identities are key characteristics of online subcultures.

Comparing Online and Offline Subcultures

Cohen's model of subculture formation still applies to online environments but with some variations.
The online sphere allows for greater anonymity, less regulated membership, and less clear hierarchies.

Examples of Online Subcultures

Cyber self-injurers find validation, support, and shared identity in online communities.
School shooters often develop an interest in previous shootings and share similar ideologies.
Incel subculture is characterized by resentment toward women, views of female dominance, and a belief in male oppression.

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Description

Explore the concepts of anomie and deviance as discussed by Durkheim and Merton. This quiz covers types of suicide, the implications of deviance, and the nuances of Merton's strain theory. Test your knowledge on how social norms and expectations shape individual behavior.