chapter 7 © 2004 pearson education, inc. sociological theories i social structure © 2004 pearson...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 7
© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
Sociological Theories I
Social Structure© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
Sociological Theories
Crime is a result of an individual’s location within the structure of society© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
Crime is the end product of various social processes, especially inappropriate socialization and social learning
Sociological Theories
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Explain crime by reference to the institutional structure of society
Social Structure Theories
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• Social disorganization theory
• Strain theory
• Culture conflict perspectives (sometimes called cultural deviance theory)
Social Structure Theories
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Social Disorganization Theories
Crime rate increases among immigrants in the early 1900s reflected the social disorganization immigrants felt due to…
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Social Disorganization Theories
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…immigrants’ inability to successfully
transplant guiding norms and values from their home culture into
the new one
Social Disorganization Theories
The Chicago SchoolThe Chicago School
Theory of Social Ecology
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The Chicago School• Criminal activity is associated
with urban transition zones…© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
…which, because of the social turmoil or social disorganization that characterized them,…
The Chicago School
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…were typified by
• lower property values
• impoverished lifestyles, and
• a general lack of privacy
The Chicago School
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Social Disorganization Theories
Strain theoryStrain theory
Delinquency is a form of adaptive, problem-solving behavior…
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Social Disorganization Theories
Strain theoryStrain theory…usually
committed in response to problems involving frustrating and undesirable social conditions© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
Strain TheoryAnomieAnomie
Term used by Durkheim to explain how a breakdown of predictable social conditions can lead to feelings of personal loss and dissolution
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Strain TheoryAnomieAnomie
Merton differed somewhat by using the term to mean a disjunction between socially approved means to success and legitimate goals
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Strain Theory• Conformity
• Innovation
• Ritualism
• Retreatism
• Rebellion
Goals and
Means Disjuncture
Goals and
Means Disjuncture
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Strain Theory
Refers to the economic and social gap between the rich and poor who live in close proximity
Relative DeprivationRelative Deprivation
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Strain TheoryRelative DeprivationRelative Deprivation
Inconsistencies in the American Dream cause most crime
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Culture Conflict Theory
The root cause of crime is a clash of values between different social groups…
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Culture Conflict Theory
…over what is acceptable or proper behavior© 2004 Pearson Education, Inc.
Culture Conflict Theory
Sub-cultural TheorySub-cultural Theory
Emphasizes the contribution by variously socialized cultural groups to crime
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Culture Conflict Theory
Focal ConcernsFocal Concerns
• Trouble• Toughness• Smartness
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Culture Conflict Theory
• Excitement
• Fate
• Autonomy
Focal ConcernsFocal Concerns
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Culture Conflict Theory
Delinquency and DriftDelinquency and Drift
Delinquents drift between criminal and conventional action, and choose what is most expedient at the time
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Culture Conflict Theory
Delinquents justify deviance by• Denying responsibility• Denying injury• Denying the victim• Condemning the condemners• Appealing to higher loyalties
Techniques of NeutralizationTechniques of Neutralization
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Culture Conflict Theory
Violent SubculturesViolent Subcultures
Violence is a learned form of adaptation to certain problematic life circumstances
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Culture Conflict Theory
Differential OpportunityDifferential Opportunity
• Legitimate opportunities for success
• Illegitimate opportunities for success
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Culture Conflict Theory
Reaction FormationReaction Formation
The process in which a person openly rejects that which he wants or aspires to, but cannot obtain or achieve
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Culture Conflict Theory
Delinquent subcultures (gangs) are the collective solution to the problem of status
Reaction FormationReaction Formation
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Culture Conflict Theory
GangsGangs
Today’s gangs are different from gangs of the early 20th century
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Culture Conflict Theory
Members are involved in a variety
of serious and violent crimes
GangsGangs
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Culture Conflict Theory
Many gang members were delinquent before they became associated with gangs
GangsGangs
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Culture Conflict Theory
Concerns with gang suppression should not supplant efforts to…
GangsGangs
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Culture Conflict Theory
…implement effective delinquency intervention and prevention strategies
GangsGangs
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