Sociiological poisitivism- anomie and strain theories

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1. What did Durkheim argue about crime in society?

Crime is a normal and necessary part of society.

2. According to Durkheim, what does crime reaffirm?

The collective conscience.

3. What is the collective conscience?

Shared beliefs, values, and moral attitudes within society.

4. Why did Durkheim believe crime is necessary?

It performs important social functions.

5. What is boundary maintenance in Durkheim’s theory?

function of crime 1

Crime helps define acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

6. What does Durkheim mean by crime being adaptive?

function of crime 2

Crime can encourage social change and adaptation.

7. How was suicide viewed before Durkheim?

As a purely individual or moral issue.

8. How did Durkheim challenge traditional ideas about suicide?

He showed suicide could be explained sociologically.

9. What research method did Durkheim use in his suicide study?

Official statistics.

10. What religious pattern did Durkheim identify in suicide rates?

Protestants had higher suicide rates than Catholics.

11. What marital status pattern did Durkheim identify in suicide rates?

Single people were more likely to commit suicide than married people.

12. What occupational pattern did Durkheim identify in suicide rates?

Soldiers had higher suicide rates than civilians.

13. How did war affect suicide rates according to Durkheim?

Suicide rates fell during wars.

14. How did economic crises affect suicide rates according to Durkheim?

Suicide rates increased during economic crises.

15. What did Durkheim argue suicide is?

A social fact shaped by wider social structures.

16. What does Durkheim’s suicide study show about private acts?

Even private acts have social causes.

17. What are the four types of suicide identified by Durkheim?

Egoistic, altruistic, fatalistic, and anomic suicide.

18. What is egoistic suicide?

Suicide caused by low social integration.

19. What is altruistic suicide?

Suicide caused by excessive social integration.

20. What is fatalistic suicide?

Suicide caused by excessive regulation and oppression.

21. What is anomic suicide?

Suicide caused by breakdowns in social norms and regulation.

22. What is anomie?

A state of normlessness where social rules and moral guidance break down.

23. Why are modern societies more prone to anomie according to Durkheim?

They are more individualistic and socially unstable.

24. What later theory was influenced by Durkheim’s concept of anomie?

Merton’s strain theory.

25. When does anomie typically occur?

During periods of rapid social change.

26. What happens to social rules during anomie?

They lose their influence and control over individuals.

27. What is meant by “state of normlessness”?

Uncertainty about what is right or expected.

28. What normally provides stability and direction in society?

Shared values and moral guidelines.

29. What social changes can contribute to anomie?

Industrialisation, globalisation, and social media change.

30. How do individuals feel during periods of anomie?

Disconnected, confused, and adrift.

31. What happens when personal goals no longer align with social values?

Individuals may experience strain and instability.

32. According to Newburn (2017), what causes anomie?

Insufficient normative regulation.

33. What two behaviours can result from weakened social cohesion?

Self-destructive and criminal behaviour.

34. Does anomie affect only individuals?

No, it affects both individuals and society.

35. According to Durkheim, what causes crime and deviance?

Social disorganisation rather than “bad people.”

36. Why may individuals seek alternative behaviours during anomie?

To restore meaning, fairness, or status.

37. What do sociological positivist theories attempt to explain?

The causes of crime and deviance.

38. According to sociological positivism, where do causes of offending lie?

Outside the offender’s direct control.

39. What methods are commonly used in sociological positivism?

Quantitative methods and experiments.

40. What type of statements does sociological positivism seek?

Law-like causal statements.

41. According to Durkheim, what causes crime?

Anomie and breakdowns in social norms.

42. What positive function does crime serve according to Durkheim?

Reinforcing the collective conscience.

43. Who developed strain theory?

Robert K. Merton.

44. What historical contexts influenced Merton’s strain theory?

The Great Depression and 1960s social conflict.

45. What cultural ideal influenced Merton’s theory?

The American Dream.

46. What type of explanations did Merton reject?

Individualistic explanations of crime.

47. What did Merton focus on instead of personality?

Social structures.

48. According to Merton, what pressures people toward deviance?

Social structures creating unequal opportunities.

49. What are cultural goals in Merton’s theory?

Socially valued achievements such as wealth and status.

50. What are institutionalised means?

Legitimate ways of achieving cultural goals.

51. What are examples of cultural goals?

Material possessions, status, respect, and achievement.

52. According to Merton, are cultural goals natural?

No, they are socially learned.

53. What does the American Dream promise?

Success through hard work and equal opportunity.

54. What creates strain according to Merton?

The gap between goals and legitimate means.

55. How does inequality contribute to strain?

It limits access to legitimate opportunities.

56. What can strain lead to according to Merton?

Deviance and rule-breaking.

57. How does Merton differ from Durkheim regarding anomie?

Merton saw anomie as built into unequal social structures.

58. What question is central to strain theory?

Whether crime results from disparities between goals and means.

59. What is a major strength of Merton’s theory?

It highlights the importance of social structure in crime.

60. What type of crime does Merton mainly explain?

Lower-class crime.

61. What important crime type does Merton underplay?

White-collar crime.

62. What social values does Merton’s theory focus heavily on?

Middle-class wealth and status.

63. What barriers besides class does Merton’s theory fail to explain?

Gender, ethnicity, and intelligence.

64. Why is Merton’s theory criticised regarding women?

Women experience disadvantage but commit less crime.

65. What alternative explanation is suggested for women’s lower offending?

Greater focus on relational rather than material success.

66. What major limitation exists in Merton’s theory of strain?

Many strained individuals do not commit crime.

67. Why does Merton’s theory struggle to explain youth offending?

Many youth crimes are not motivated by material gain.

68. What motivates many youth crimes?

Status and recognition.

69. What does “non-utilitarian” mean in relation to youth crime?

Crime committed without material profit.

70. What does “malicious” mean in relation to youth crime?

Crime committed for thrill or enjoyment.

71. What does “negativistic” mean in relation to youth crime?

Rebellion against authority for its own sake.

72. What is status frustration?

Frustration caused by inability to gain status legitimately.

73. How did Cohen extend Merton’s theory?

By focusing on group-based deviance and subcultures.

74. Why do subcultures form according to Cohen?

Working-class youth reject unattainable middle-class values.

75. What happens to values within deviant subcultures?

Rule-breaking and defiance become valued.

76. What does crime provide within subcultures?

Respect, identity, and collective solutions to frustration.

77. What later theories were influenced by Cohen?

Cloward and Ohlin, Matza, and Downes.

78. Who developed General Strain Theory?

Robert Agnew.

79. When did Agnew develop General Strain Theory?

1992.

80. What is the first source of strain in General Strain Theory?

Failure to achieve personal goals.

81. What is the second source of strain in General Strain Theory?

Removal of positive stimuli.

82. What is the third source of strain in General Strain Theory?

Exposure to negative stimuli.

83. According to Agnew, why may people commit crime?

To cope with strain and negative emotions.

84. What increases the relationship between strain and crime according to Agnew?

Perceived injustice.

85. How can inability to cope legitimately increase crime?

It pressures people toward criminal coping.

86. What role does social control play in General Strain Theory?

Reduced social control increases offending likelihood.

87. What example of criminal coping does Agnew provide?

Victimisation leading to revenge.

88. Who developed Institutional Anomie Theory (IAT)?

Messner and Rosenfeld.

89. When was Institutional Anomie Theory developed?

2001.

90. How does Institutional Anomie Theory extend Merton’s work?

It shifts focus from individuals to society-wide structures.

91. What country did Messner and Rosenfeld focus on?

The United States.

92. According to IAT, why does the USA have high crime rates?

The American Dream creates a culture of anomie.

93. What are the four core cultural features of the American Dream in IAT?

Achievement, individualism, materialism, and universalism.

94. According to IAT, what is crime a product of?

Obsession with success.

95. Which institution dominates American society according to IAT?

Economic institutions.

96. What does institutional imbalance create according to IAT?

A society structured for crime.

97. How does economic dominance weaken society according to IAT?

It weakens family, education, and moral restraints.

98. What social conditions are fuelled by institutional imbalance?

Frustration, inequality, and competition.

99. What phrase reflects the cultural values identified in IAT?

“Success by any means necessary.”