Anomie Strain Theory

Words: 1381
Pages: 6
Open Document
Q1: Describe anomie and the differences in how Durkheim and Merton applied the theory. Cloward and Ohlin’s Differential Opportunity Theory is applied to understanding gangs and gang behavior, as read in the text. According to the application of this theory to gang research, what must be considered in understanding criminal learning environments of gangs? According to Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory, strain leads to anger and frustration which leads to deviant behavior, but not all individuals respond to strain with crime and deviance. What types of strain are most likely to lead to deviant behavior and/or crime? The anomie/strain theory explains what causes humans to deviate from the norm; it is an understanding of deviance based on …show more content…
He suggested that the lack of regulation of societies needs was not fully to blame for deviance, "rather from a faulty relationship between cultural goals and the legitimate means to access them" (Inderbitzen 2013:148). He realized that America had an aspiration of the sky being the limit, and a yearn for success; however, the means they had to obtain success characterized their call to deviate. He suggested that these goals were "widespread" and Merton argued that social structure "restricts or completely eliminate access to approved modes of acquiring these symbols for a considerable part of the same population" (Inderbitzen 2013:148). Merton's theory proposed that the barriers to achieving every goal, introduced a society who deviates from the norm. The text explains this as "structural impediments", and identifies Merton's five adaptation to anomie: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity is defined as accepting cultural goals and accepting the institutionalized means. Innovation as accepting cultural goals but not accepting the institutionalized means. Ritualism by not accepting cultural goals, but accepting the institutionalized means. Rebellion by rejecting both cultural goals and institutionalized means. An example of conformity, are those who have goals to achieve success and have accepted their means to do so: a high school graduate who enrolls in college full-time and begins a full-time job …show more content…
Crime rates in a major city appear to be located in particular neighborhoods closer to the city center. What are some important aspects a researcher would want to consider in choosing to examine the social disorder of neighborhoods and crime throughout the city? Explain why this is important to examine through social disorganization theory. Briefly outline and summarize Sampson and Groves’ model of social disorganization. Social disorganization theory is a macro-level theory which focuses on the importance of location. It introduces the relationship of everyone's connection to each other, and the high crime rates in certain places. The text explains, "some places are safer than others and that all sorts of deviances flourish in other places" (Inderbitzen 2013:203). Social disorganization theory attempts to explain the unequal distribution of deviance and crime in certain areas; some areas 'flourish' while others are able to control deviance and
Show More

Related Documents: Anomie Strain Theory

The Anomie-Strain Theory: Breakdown Of Social Norms

In these chapters there were a lot of thoughts that stood out to me, but some theories caught my attention immediately. The Anomie-Strain Theory is a breakdown of social norms it also examines how the anomie causes the deviance. Merton and Durkheim evaluated the Anomie-Strain Theory quite differently. Durkheim stated that the anomie is absence of norms and it leads to the deviance. Merton’s view was the complete opposite of Durkheim and he stated that the deviance occurs when society encourages individuals…

Words 630 - Pages 3

Robert Merton's Strain Theory

Robert Merton’s model of strain and anomie has been at the forefront of much criminological research of explaining the roots of social deviancy. However it has expanded by many theorists and despite that many agreed with Merton’s views, they all noted that his work was somewhat lacking in explanation and limited in terms of empirical corroboration. The two Predecessors Durkheim and Merton’s work on strain should not be completely discredited, as in the particular time frame in which they were writing;…

Words 2023 - Pages 9

Strain: Sociology and Social Structure Essay

Strain Theory There are four different varieties of strain theory. The first is anomie theory originally proposed by proposed by Dr. Robert Merton. The second theory is institutional anomie theory proposed by Steven F. Messner and Richard Rossenfeld. The third theory is general strain theory proposed by Robert Agnew. Finally relative deprivation theory originally proposed by James Davis, next to tackle this subject was Walter Garrison Runciman, followed by Ted Robert Gurr, and finally by Faye…

Words 2602 - Pages 11

Agnew's General Strain Theory

and take on anomie and strain theory, and focusing their lens on “street” crime in high poverty neighborhoods. The theory direct our focus to how society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (such as the American Dream), though they lack the means, which then leads to breakdowns in, detachment from, norms. They argue that some substitute “counter norms,” “stretching” norms, and “innovate” to achieve their goals through deviance and crime. Despite these theories specifically…

Words 1717 - Pages 7

Essay on Sociology on Crime

Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of subcultural theories in explaining ‘subcultural crime and deviance’ in society today (21 marks) Subcultural theories hold a belief that everyone in society has groups that hold different norms and values to the minority of people who commit crimes, for example; Sociologists in Chicago University conducted a participant observation with a huge number of migrants from Europe and South USA, they founds that deviant groups in society…

Words 1021 - Pages 5

Criminological Theory Of Crime Essay

crime in any given society. While many theories differ quite drastically, there is a collection of criminological perspectives that revolve around a general basis of ‘social institutions’ and their subsequent effects on crime. For the purpose of this paper, two of these theories will be examined in further detail; Messner and Rosenfeld’s Institutional Anomie Theory and secondly, Sampson and Grove’s reprisal of the Social Disorganization Theory. Both of these theories, first published in their respective…

Words 483 - Pages 2

Ludeke's Social Disorganization Theory

it sets forth. Although it satisfies the components of the STEP act, it does not explain gang formation using social science theories. Ludeke’s primary criticism of MLO was that the gang was predominately white and wealthy, which does not explain gang formation under Thrasher’s social disorganization theory or Merton’s strain theory. Thrasher’s social disorganization theory explains that youths turn to gang participation because the state in which they live in is in constant disorganization due to…

Words 375 - Pages 2

Institutional Anomie Theory Of Crime Essay

Old Murders Can Help Prevent New Ones, discusses how the number of cold case homicides have been increasing. This fact can be linked to budgetary problems that police departments face, allowing for an analysis using institutional anomie theory. Institutional anomie theory was proposed by Messner and Rosenfield in 1994. It drew inspiration from Durkheim and Merton’s previous works. Its focus is on how institutions in our society can impact crime. Specifically, it views the economic impacts of our institutions…

Words 758 - Pages 4

The Labeling Theory: The Role Of Deviance In Society

There are many theories as to why individuals strike out against society’s expectations; these individuals are known as “deviants.” Theories such as The Labeling Theory, The Subcultural Theory, The Control Theory, and The Anomie Theory as well as Structural Functionalism all focus on why deviance exists and how individuals end up falling under such an incredulous category. The Labeling Theory is the concept of labeling individuals to a significant group. By being…

Words 1430 - Pages 6

General Strain Theory Research Paper

different reasons and theories that could explain criminal behavior and why they commit crimes. The General Strain Theory, which falls under a sub category of sociocultural theories labeled social and culture structure theories, further expands on Merton’s anomie theory and states that excessive amounts of strain can drive someone to commit crimes. Personally I find this theory is this most practical in terms of explaining crimes because it’s the simplest. Biological theories state that criminals…

Words 112 - Pages 1