...Rudee Reyes SOC 408 In order to illustrate how biological theories of criminal behavior came up short in showing social reality, Robert Merton proposed his strain theory. He realized that every society and culture sets forth goals that every member should meet, and dictates the legitimate means of achieving those goals. So Merton argued that structural conditions needed to be considered as influencing deviation from behavior considered as normative. He referred to Durkheim’s concept of anomie, but understood it as the pressure, or strain, that an individual experiences based on two conditions. First, an individual may experience strain when institutional means of achieving culturally defined goals do not necessarily lead to attainment of those goals. Second, an individual may also experience strain when access to the institutional means of achieving culturally defined goals is completely blocked off. In his theory, Merton describes five different ways that individuals adjust to the strains they experience (Merton pg. 233). These categories explain how individuals adapt under the conditions of strain resulting from anomie. The first category is conformist, in which the individuals believe in both the goals set forth by their culture and the institutional means of achieving those goals (Merton pg. 234). These people strive for their culture’s goals of success by following the prescribed means of achieving them. An example of this would be college students because they want...
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...income distribution by quintiles in your society. Is your society more like Mexico or more like Japan in its degree of inequality? - We live in a world of staggering and unprecedented income inequality. Nothing could be further from the truth than the idea that poverty is increasing. However, America has a higher degree of income inequality than almost any other developed country. Most countries spend a bigger share of their national output on social programs, which tend to decrease income inequality. The U.S. is less effective at reducing inequality through taxes and benefits, making us higher than both Mexico and Japan. Trade is much higher than Mexico than Japan so our society would be similar in more aspects of Mexico. 6. Use Merton’s strain theory to explain why crime rates are so high in Mexico. Can you compare crime rates in your own society with crime rates in Mexico? Explain sociologically why crime rate are higher or lower in your society than in Mexico....
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...According to Durkheim, crime – or at least a certain limited amount of crime – was necessary for any society. Durkheim argued that at the basis of society was a set of shared values which guide our actions, which he called the collective conscience. It provides a framework with boundaries, which distinguishes between actions which are acceptable and those which are not. Durkheim discussed four elements of the positive aspect to crime. He believes crime can be functional by Re-affirming the boundaries every time that a person breaks a law and is taken to court, the resulting court ceremony and the publicity in the newspapers, publicly re-affirms the existing values. By changing values- every so often when a person is taken to court and charged with a crime a degree of sympathy occurs for the person prosecuted. The resulting public outcry signals a change in values and, in time this can lead to a change in law to reflect the changing values. Social cohesion A third function of crime, according to Durkheim, is to strengthen social cohesion. He points out that when particularly horrific crimes have been committed, the entire community draws in together in shared outrage, and the sense of belonging to a community is thereby strengthened. Safety Valve Deviant acts may be functional as a form of pressure release. Durkheim does however see how crime can be destructive and negative. He stressed that it was a certain, limited amount of crime which performed positive functions for society...
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...whether youngsters’ participation in the umbrella movement can be explained by Merton’s strains towards anomie theory. To answer such question, it would be required to consider and descript few key terms stated in the question, followed by the linkages and applicability between those terms with detailed justification and draw proper conclusion at last. I tentatively would say yes to the given question before making my deeper explanation. Merton’s anomie theory composes three elements including cultural structures, social structure and anomie. Taken together, the mismatch between cultural structure and social structure and strains towards anomie on part of individual form two conditions for anomie (Merton, 1938). Beside Merton’s theory, it is crucial to define what youngsters’ participation and umbrella movement stand for. A random poll conducted in Central, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay during 20 to 26 of October 2014 showed that 61% of participants in the umbrella movement was under 29 years old (Cheng and Yuen, 2014). Therefore, Youngsters’ participation in the umbrella movement may refer to students or those aged below 29, while this was a youngster-led protest movement, which aimed at changing Hong Kong’s Chief Executive election system, initiated by classes boycotts and assumed as an unauthorized and illegal protest. The focus of the discussion would then lay on how Merton’s strains towards anomie theory can be applied on youngsters’ participation in the umbrella movement. Recognizing...
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...The strain theory foundation was laid by a well known sociologist Robert Merton. Merton believed that when groups of people do not have access to particular resources within the community, they are faced with the issues of obtaining those achievements and/or resources. Often times the process by which these achievements and/or resources are obtained will lead to criminal action. This places tremendous pressure on individuals which can be described as strain. Merton also refers to the inability to obtain the achievements and/or resources honestly as blocked opportunity structure (Agnew 2006). Over time many studies regarding strain theory have been conducted which has altered the meaning of strain theory. Merton’s foundation of strain theory was built upon by a modern sociologist named Robert Agnew. Agnew took Merton’s strain theory and changed the theory behind which Merton believed that strain led to criminal and deviant behavior. Agnew’s newly defined definition of strain theory including the inability to obtain the achievements and/or resources need; but the loss of property and negative behavior displayed by others created strains (2006). Agnew also provided a structuralized approach to the strain theory by providing categories which the different behaviors can be classified. Agnew’s classification of the various form of strain theory can be determined by the resources available to an individual, behavior of others, and the experiences (both anticipated and unanticipated)...
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...Evaluate the usefulness of Functionalist theories to our understanding of crime and deviance (40 marks) A functionalist analysis of crime and deviance begins with society as a whole. It looks for the source of deviance in the nature of society rather than in the individual. Durkheim argued that crime is an inevitable and normal aspect of social life. Crime is present in all types of society; indeed, the crime rate is higher in the more advanced, industrialised countries. According to Durkheim, crime is an ‘integral part of all healthy societies’. It’s inevitable because not every member of society can be equally committed to the collective sentiments (the shared values and moral beliefs) of society. Since individuals are exposed to different influences and circumstances, it is ‘impossible for all to be alike’. Therefore not everyone is equally reluctant to break the law. Durkheim went on to say that crime isn’t only inevitable, it can also be functional. Durkheim argued that it only becomes dysfunctional (harmful to society) when its rate is unusually high or law. He argued that all social change begins with some form of deviance. In order for change to occur, yesterday’s deviance must become today’s normality. Since a certain amount of change is good for society (so that it can progress rather than stagnate), so is deviance. If the collective sentiments are too strong, there will be little deviance, but neither will there be any change, or progress. Therefore the collective...
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...When looking at the formation of gangs, Cloward and Ohlin place a large focus on juveniles having blocked legitimate opportunities leading them to experience a sense of strain. For Cloward and Ohlin, strain is defined as a feeling of injustice. Cloward and Ohlin argue that opportunities-such as education- are not equally distributed in the community. This implies that these juveniles have the “American Dream” mindset, however have no legitimate ways to achieve it because all of their opportunities are blocked. In following, these blocked opportunities produce strain. Because the juveniles have a feeling of injustice, they will search for alternative ways to achieve the “American Dream” and thus lead to illegitimate opportunities. However, illegitimate...
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...hPresent an outline of subcultural theories of crime and deviance and asses the values of these theories. Functionalism is a consensus structuralist theory which sees the source of crime and deviance looted in the structure of the society. Social order is bases on value consensus and social control aims to protect this by controlling the threat posed by crime and deviance. A former functionalist Merton, attempted to explain why deviance arises in the first place. He believes that the society survives because al the members of society have shared norms and values which he calls the collective conscience. Parson calls this the central value system (CVS). merton's theory of crime attempts to explain why some groups in society are forced to abandon their shared norms and values and replace them with deviant ones. He says in order to achieve the American dream (CVS) they must accept the cultural goals which is the accepted success goals of society. E.g. jobs, house, car. Merton believes that you have to accept the institutionalised means which is of legal ways of achieving that accepted success. Merton's theory is the strain theory. He believes that while some people are able to follow this patch to success, others are blocked because of their position in the social structure. Some groups have lower educational achievement so there is a tension between an individual's needs and the needs of the society. Some people are socialised into goals but enable to achieve them. Merton...
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...and therefore deters others from committing crime along with creating a collective conscience. He also argues that crime and deviance allows social change to occur which is needed in order for society to remain stable. Durkheim’s theory is useful in explaining crime as it highlights that crime is not unnatural in society. However, Durkheim has been criticised as there is no way to tell what is too much to be useful and what the right amount is. Durkheim also fails to consider why some groups in society, such as the working class, are more likely to commit crimes. Merton explains crime by using his strain theory in which he focuses on goals and the means of reaching the goals. He based his study on the American Dream and suggested that all members of society have the collective value of wealth and possession. Due to this, Merton claims that crime and deviance arises due to society not being equal and those at the bottom of the hierarchy, for example the working class, are unable to achieve these goals via legitimate means such as education and work so turn to illegitimate means such as theft. This suggests that goals are linked to a person’s position in the social system, meaning that there cannot be a true value consensus for all. Merton’s strain theory is useful in explaining why people conform within society. However, he does not consider why only some of...
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...1. The Quebec student riots caused by a proposal to raise the price of tuition, can be related to Robert Merton’s strain theory. Merton’s theory is built on the idea of anomie that Emile Durkheim introduced. Anomie is described as a social condition in which norms are weak, conflicting or absent. In the case of the Quebec student riots, they are absent due to the students ongoing efforts to prevent the rise in tuition. Merton’s main concern is that societies do not provide the correct means or avenues to achieve cultural goals. For some of the protestors, raising the price of tuition would mean that it would be more difficult for them to get an education and that would influence whether or not they can reach these cultural goals and become contributing members to society. The strain theory says that there are usually two conflicting parties which plays in why the deviance occurs and a conflict arises. The two conflicting parties are clear to see as there are some people that agree with the proposal in Quebec and some that do not. 2. Howard Becker’s labelling theory attempts to explain why certain people are seen as deviants and delinquents while others who behave similar are not seen this way. The theory suggests that people who are seen as deviants have usually been labelled by others. In the TED Talk video, Damon Horowitz speaks of his experience when labelling someone as a deviant or delinquent. 3. The video of the man speaking about the different types of crimes...
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...Examine the role of access to opportunity structures in causing crime and deviance (21 marks) Deviance is an act that goes against the norms and values of social construction. There are many different factors to be considered when examining opportunity structures in causing crime and deviance. Functionalists, especially Durkheim sees society as a stable system based on value consensus-shared norms, values, beliefs and goals. This produces social solidarity, binding individuals together into one harmonious unit. To achieve this, society must participate in socialisation and social control. These functionalist concepts easily link to the functionalist explanation of crime where crime is portrayed as inevitable and functional for society. Whilst crime disrupts social stability, functionalists see it as inevitable and universal. Durkheim sees crime as healthy for social as society needs some individuals who are inadequately socialised and prone to deviate. Also in highly modern societies, there is a specialized division of labour and a diversity of subcultures. Individuals and groups become increasingly different from one another, and the shared rules of behaviour become less clear. This is what is known as anomie. An example of where anomie occurs is in suicide, where rapid social change in modern society, leaves individuals unsure as to where they fit in. For Durkheim, crime fulfils two important positive functions, the first of which is boundary maintenance. Crime produces...
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...Social Theories of Crime Linda Robuck AIU Online Abstract This text seeks to make more understandable and explain what social theories are all about, using four different social theories. The beginning of this text will offer a general description or definition of not only what exactly social theories are, but also a description or definition for each of the four theories mentioned earlier. For each of the theories, information that will be included involves a description of each theory, a short history of each theory which will include information with respect to when the theory was proposed, who the relevant theorist or theorists associated with each theory were, strengths of each theory which explains criminal behavior, why each theory was important at the time of its proposal, weaknesses of each theory which explain criminal behavior, and particular examples that will correspond with each of the four theories being discussed. A theoretical application involving an individual who has recently been convicted of a crime will be provided. Along with information regarding the individual and their criminal deviance particular to them, a discussion will ensue in regard to which of the four theories would be most relevant in regard to further explanation of the deviant actions committed by the individual. Social Theories of Crime Introduction In the annals of the early nineteenth century, criminology can find its beginnings in a newly urbanized...
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...Using material from item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of sub cultural theories in explaining “sub cultural crime and deviance” in society. Functionalist sociologists adopt a normative definition to explain crime and deviance. They categorise it as something which breaks off from or violates social norms. This means that there is an assumption that society is based on value consensus and thus laws reflect the interests and views of the majority of the population. On the other hand critical criminology such as Marxism would use the relativistic definition to define crime and thus support the notion that the law reflects the interests of the ruling class instead. One sub cultural theory which is useful in explaining sub cultural crime and deviance is Merton’s strain theory. He argued that in society, certain members may experience a strain between the cultural goals of society for example the American dream and the legitimate means to achieve these goals. Deviance results from the structure of society and reaching these goals depends on an individual’s social mobility. In a stratified society goals are inevitably linked to a person’s position in the social structure. As a result, when some members are unable to achieve goals they become disenchanted and may seek out alternative ways. Merton argued that capitalist societies suffer from anomie - a strain/conflict between the goals set by society and the legitimate (law abiding) means of achieving them. However, Merton...
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...Assess strain theories as an explanation of crime and deviance in contemporary society The relationship between offending and subculture explains how a situation for example society preventing certain groups particularly working class males from succeeding in terms of material achievement and this creates group response whereby the group rejects the values and of that society and develops alternative values ‘subculture’ and this leads to values generated by the subculture being justified and leading to antisocial behaviour and crime. Strain is a term used to refer to explanations of criminal behaviour that argue that crime is a result of certain groups of people being places in a position where they are unable for whatever reason to conform to the values and beliefs of society. Strain theory was introduced by Merton who tried to locate deviance within a functionalist framework. Merton argued that capitalist societies suffer from anomie a strain/conflict between the goals set by society and the legitimate means of achieving of them. Merton argued that all societies set their members certain goals and at the same time set socially approved ways of achieving them. The system worked well as long as there was a reasonable chance that a majority of people were able to achieve their goals. However, if the majority of the population were unable to achieve the socially set goals, then they became disenchanted with society and found an alternative usually deviant way of behaving. Merton...
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...Psychological theory The issue of human violence is also a major topic within the academic discipline of psychology. As biosocial theorists do, psychologists focus on how individual characteristics may interact with the social environment to produce a violent event. However, rather than focus on the biological basis of crime, psychologists focus on how mental processes impact individual propensities for violence. Psychologists are often interested in the association between learning, intelligence, and personality and aggressive behaviour. In this section of the report, we briefly review some of the major psychological perspectives that have attempted to explain violent behaviour. These perspectives include the psychodynamic perspective, behavioural theory, cognitive theory and personality theory. We will also explore the possible relationship between mental illness and violence. Social learning theory Social learning theory is a theory that attempts to explain socialization and its effect of the development of the self. There are many different theories that explain how people become socialized, including psychoanalytic theory, functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction theory. Social learning theory, like these others, looks at the individual learning process, the formation of self, and the influence of society in socializing individuals. Social control theory gained prominence during the 1960s as sociologists sought differing conceptions of crime. It...
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