Ch6 social topics

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key sociological concepts, branches, and subcultures within social structure theories of crime.

Social structure theory

The overarching theory perspective holding that a disadvantaged socioeconomic-class position is a primary cause of crime

Social structure

How a society is organized in terms of the relationships and institutions that make it up.

Stratification

Grouping based on economic or social class, marked by the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and prestige.

Social class

A segment of the population at a similar economic level that shares attitudes, values, norms, and an identifiable lifestyle.

Market based measure (MBM)

The measure of low income based on the cost of a specific basket of goods and services representing a modest, basic standard of life.

Social disorganization theory

A branch of social structure theory focused on the breakdown of institutions (family, school, employment) in inner-city neighbourhoods.

Concentration effect

The consolidation of the most disadvantaged population in urban ghettos as working- and middle-class families flee inner-city poor areas.

Strain theory

The view that crime results from the anger, frustration, and resentment of people who maintain mainstream goals but believe they cannot achieve them through legitimate means.

Cultural deviance theory

A branch that combines strain and social disorganization, asserting that they produce a unique subculture among the socioeconomically disadvantaged with values opposing conventional social norms.

Anomie (Durkheim)

A state reflecting a lack of norms or clear social standards, where rapidly shifting moral values leave individuals with few guides to what is socially acceptable.

Anomie theory

The view that anomie results when socially defined goals (wealth, power) are universally mandated, but access to legitimate means (education, jobs) is stratified by class and status.

Merton's five adaptations

The modes of individual adaptation to anomie and strain: conformity, innovation (the most criminal adaptation), ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

American Dream

The goal of accumulating material goods and wealth through individual competition, encompassing the socialization to pursue it and the belief that it is achievable.

Institutional anomie theory

The view that anomie pervades modern culture because the drive for material wealth dominates and undermines social and community values.

General strain theory (GST)

The view that multiple sources of strain interact with an individual's emotional traits and responses to produce criminality.

Differential opportunity theory

Cloward and Ohlin's theory that disadvantaged youths with limited legitimate opportunities join gangs and pursue criminal careers as an alternative way to reach universal success goals.

Criminal subculture

An environment of organized, comparatively sophisticated crime run by successful innovators, featuring roles such as leaders, muscle, fences, and corrupt professionals.

Conflict subculture

A setting characterized by lower-level innovation in disadvantaged or transitional neighbourhoods, exemplified by street-level gangs, drug dealing, and violence.

Retreatist subculture

A pattern of withdrawal from conventional goals and means, characterized by lower-level conduct such as drug possession, vandalism, and public disorder.

Criminal gangs (textbook)

Gangs that exist in stable neighbourhoods where close connections among adolescents, young adults, and adult offenders foster successful criminal enterprise.

Conflict gangs (textbook)

Gangs that develop in communities unable to provide either legitimate or illegitimate opportunities.

Retreat gangs (textbook)

Gangs composed of 'double failures' who are unable to succeed through legitimate means and unwilling to do so through illegal ones.