Question 1

Which of the following quotes might be attributed to a structural-functionalist?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Society is not just a collection of individuals living among each other; it is more than the sum of its parts." 
B)  "Punishment needs to be swift, certain, and severe." 
C)  "The rich get richer and the poor get prison." 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  "Society is not just a collection of individuals living among each other; it is more than the sum of its parts." 
B)  "Punishment needs to be swift, certain, and severe." 
C)  "The rich get richer and the poor get prison." 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. A

Question 2

What is the level of explanation, problem focus, and scope of the anomie theories?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, social strain and anomie theories focus on explaining structural variations in crime rates. In particular, strain theorists emphasize the criminogenic nature of capitalism. These theories focus on explaining group dynamics of crime and how these relate to larger structural and cultural factors. New theories examine interpersonal dynamics and individual-level factors while still remaining true to the logic in Merton's original social strain and anomie theory. The scope of Merton's (1938) original strain theory focuses primarily on street-level crime committed for profit; however, other types of crime (e.g., drug use, civil disobedience) and emergence of criminal subcultures are addressed in some cases. He discussed the phenomenon of white-collar and upper-class crime, but he assumed that this type of crime was much less common.

Question 3

What are some differences between anomie and social disorganization/ecological theories?

Accepted Answer

In some ways these theories are similar, in that both look at the role of institutions and relationships in crime rates. However, whereas social disorganization and ecological approaches look at how relationships among those in neighborhoods, communities, and cities relate to crime rates, anomie theories focus on how economic arrangements (namely, capitalism) lead to internal divisions that then influence relationships. This speaks to a philosophical difference between those who have advanced these two theories. Those who embraced anomie theories have distaste for the inequalities inherent in American capitalism and focus on the need to change the political structures that produced the inequalities that increased the alienation experienced by lower-class youth. Social disorganization theorists, on the other hand, focus on how numerous interrelated elements within cities, communities, and neighborhoods influence crime rates.

Question 4

Societies characterized by organic solidarity tend to be old-fashioned and less technologically advanced than those characterized by mechanical solidarity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Social strain theories have proved difficult to test empirically.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Institutional strain theory views crime as an unavoidable by-product of the corrupt capitalist system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Differential opportunity suggests that there were four types of gangs: criminal, conflict, ritualistic, and retreatist.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following was not a key practical ramification of social strain theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Youth Offenses Control Act of 1961 
B)  The Mobilization for Youth program 
C)  The Chicago Area Project 
D)  The war on poverty 
E)  Economic Opportunity Acts of 1964 and 1967 
A)  The Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Youth Offenses Control Act of 1961 
B)  The Mobilization for Youth program 
C)  The Chicago Area Project 
D)  The war on poverty 
E)  Economic Opportunity Acts of 1964 and 1967

Question 9

How do history and culture fit into the development of these theories?

Accepted Answer

Merton's classical statement of strain t

Question 10

Social strain theories struggle to explain:

Accepted Answer

A)  white-collar crime. 
B)  drug dealing. 
C)  burglary. 
D)  robbery. 
E)  none of the above. 
A)  white-collar crime. 
B)  drug dealing. 
C)  burglary. 
D)  robbery. 
E)  none of the above.

Question 11

Cohen viewed middle-class male delinquency as a reaction to being raised primarily by women.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Merton argued that people were under about the same amount of pressure to commit crime regardless of their social standing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Social strain theory has consistently been supported by a great deal of research.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Jason is a small-time criminal and recently joined a motorcycle gang. The gang is characterized by a great deal of disorder and violence; status is based on the ability to fight and intimidate. Many of the members are trying to prove themselves and establish their reputations. Which subculture would Jason's gang fall into, according to Cloward and Ohlin's differential opportunity theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fighting 
B)  Retreatist 
C)  Rebellion 
D)  Conflict 
E)  Criminal 
A)  Fighting 
B)  Retreatist 
C)  Rebellion 
D)  Conflict 
E)  Criminal

Question 15

Research on social strain theory indicates that:

Accepted Answer

A)  crime results from changing norms and values that accompany shifts to urbanization and industrialization. 
B)  rehabilitation and treatment can make society a better place. 
C)  the police need to patrol crime-ridden communities more regularly to lower crime rates. 
D)  effects of economic pressures and income inequality are mediated through key social institutions such as the family and education. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  crime results from changing norms and values that accompany shifts to urbanization and industrialization. 
B)  rehabilitation and treatment can make society a better place. 
C)  the police need to patrol crime-ridden communities more regularly to lower crime rates. 
D)  effects of economic pressures and income inequality are mediated through key social institutions such as the family and education. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 16

Merton's social strain theory:

Accepted Answer

A)  argues that people commit crime because they want to be rich. 
B)  argues that people commit crime because they are under pressure to succeed. 
C)  argues that people commit crime because they feel they don't have a chance at good jobs. 
D)  all of the above. 
E)  none of the above. 
A)  argues that people commit crime because they want to be rich. 
B)  argues that people commit crime because they are under pressure to succeed. 
C)  argues that people commit crime because they feel they don't have a chance at good jobs. 
D)  all of the above. 
E)  none of the above.

Question 17

What are some of the practical approaches and programs suggested by anomie theories?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps the best known program that emer

Question 18

Social strain theories assume that:

Accepted Answer

A)  individual psychological strains are the key to explaining crime. 
B)  human nature is naturally altruistic and we are corrupted by societal forces. 
C)  conflict between citizens and law enforcement officials creates stress and crime. 
D)  biological factors are completely irrelevant to explaining criminal behavior. 
E)  humans have free will and defy prediction or explanation. 
A)  individual psychological strains are the key to explaining crime. 
B)  human nature is naturally altruistic and we are corrupted by societal forces. 
C)  conflict between citizens and law enforcement officials creates stress and crime. 
D)  biological factors are completely irrelevant to explaining criminal behavior. 
E)  humans have free will and defy prediction or explanation.

Question 19

Akers's social learning theory is an extension of Merton's strain theory.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Which of the following is not a key institution identified in Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional strain theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Family 
B)  Politics (polity) 
C)  Economy 
D)  Education 
E)  Religion 
A)  Family 
B)  Politics (polity) 
C)  Economy 
D)  Education 
E)  Religion

Which of the following quotes might be attributed to a structural-functionalist?

What is the level of explanation, problem focus, and scope of the anomie theories?

What are some differences between anomie and social disorganization/ecological theories?

Societies characterized by organic solidarity tend to be old-fashioned and less technologically advanced than those characterized by mechanical solidarity.

Social strain theories have proved difficult to test empirically.

Institutional strain theory views crime as an unavoidable by-product of the corrupt capitalist system.

Differential opportunity suggests that there were four types of gangs: criminal, conflict, ritualistic, and retreatist.

Which of the following was not a key practical ramification of social strain theory?

How do history and culture fit into the development of these theories?

Social strain theories struggle to explain:

Cohen viewed middle-class male delinquency as a reaction to being raised primarily by women.

Merton argued that people were under about the same amount of pressure to commit crime regardless of their social standing.

Social strain theory has consistently been supported by a great deal of research.

Research on social strain theory indicates that:

Merton's social strain theory:

What are some of the practical approaches and programs suggested by anomie theories?

Social strain theories assume that:

Akers's social learning theory is an extension of Merton's strain theory.

Which of the following is not a key institution identified in Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional strain theory?

Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping

The Seven-Step Model and Early Explanations of Criminality

Biological Positivist Theories

Psychological Positivist Theories

Psychological Process Theories

Differential Association and Social Learning Theories

Control Theories

Labeling Theories

Social Disorganization Theories

Conflict Theories

Rational Choice Theories

Integrated and General Theories

Biosocial Theories

Developmental and Life Course Theories

Conclusion

Filters

Exam 10: Social Strain and Anomie Theories

Which of the following quotes might be attributed to a structural-functionalist?

What is the level of explanation, problem focus, and scope of the anomie theories?

What are some differences between anomie and social disorganization/ecological theories?

Societies characterized by organic solidarity tend to be old-fashioned and less technologically advanced than those characterized by mechanical solidarity.

Social strain theories have proved difficult to test empirically.

Institutional strain theory views crime as an unavoidable by-product of the corrupt capitalist system.

Differential opportunity suggests that there were four types of gangs: criminal, conflict, ritualistic, and retreatist.

Which of the following was not a key practical ramification of social strain theory?

How do history and culture fit into the development of these theories?

Social strain theories struggle to explain:

Cohen viewed middle-class male delinquency as a reaction to being raised primarily by women.

Merton argued that people were under about the same amount of pressure to commit crime regardless of their social standing.

Social strain theory has consistently been supported by a great deal of research.

Research on social strain theory indicates that:

Merton's social strain theory:

What are some of the practical approaches and programs suggested by anomie theories?

Social strain theories assume that:

Akers's social learning theory is an extension of Merton's strain theory.

Which of the following is not a key institution identified in Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional strain theory?

Basic Principles of Theorizing and Mapping

The Seven-Step Model and Early Explanations of Criminality

Biological Positivist Theories

Psychological Positivist Theories

Psychological Process Theories

Differential Association and Social Learning Theories

Control Theories

Labeling Theories

Social Disorganization Theories

Conflict Theories

Rational Choice Theories

Integrated and General Theories

Biosocial Theories

Developmental and Life Course Theories

Conclusion

Filters