Deck 9: Anomie and Strain Theories

Question 1

Research findings on the discrepancy between adolescents' educational and occupational aspirations and their expectations have provided strong evidence in support of anomie theory.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

According to Cohen's version of anomie theory, participation in the delinquent subculture is a reaction by lower-class boys to the inability to gain social status by living up to middle-class standards.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

According to Merton, anomie results when rapid social change disrupts stable norms and values, producing a condition of normlessness or social deregulation.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The concepts of anomie and social disorganization are similar in that both refer to a societal condition in which social control mechanisms become so restrictive and repressive that people feel pressured to break free of them.

Question 5

Cohen's theory conjures up an image of delinquency as a desperate attempt to get cars, clothes, jewelry, and other valued items through the only means available to deprived lower-class adolescents.

Question 6

According to Agnew's general strain theory, crime and delinquency are adaptations to stress, regardless of the source of stress.

Question 7

Agnew's revision of anomie theory retains a focus on accounting for class differences in rates of crime and delinquency.

Question 8

In Walter Miller's view, the behavior of lower-class delinquent boys reflects subcultural values that are deviant.

Question 9

In Walter Miller's view, the lower class has a distinct culture that differs in significant respects from the culture of middle-class America.

Question 10

Correlations between income inequality and crime rates are consistent with anomie theory but inconsistent with social disorganization theory.

Question 11

Farnworth and Leiber's research on anomie theory-which they claim uses better measures of the key concepts in Merton's theory-provides strong support for the theory.

Question 12

According to Cohen's version of anomie/strain theory, participation in the delinquent subculture is a reaction by middle-class boys to the inability to achieve status in conventional society.

Question 13

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity proposes that there are three different types of specialized delinquent subcultures-criminal, conflict, and retreatist.

Question 14

Agnew has identified some prevention programs that are consistent with general strain theory but that differ significantly from programs based on learning and bonding theories.

Question 15

Merton's theory of social structure and anomie offers only an explanation of macro-level differences in crime and offers no insights into how individuals may respond to anomie.

Question 16

Institutional-anomie theory approaches Merton's anomie theory from a strictly macro-structural perspective and extends the analysis to a variety of institutions in the social structure.

Question 17

General strain theory expands on the macro-structural dimensions of anomie theory.

Question 18

According to Messner and Rosenfeld, "American cultural exceptionalism" is the most researched and empirically supported aspect of institutional-anomie theory.

Question 19

Recent research found that the highest predicted rates for theft were observed for the nation-states with a strong economy.

Question 20

According to Peck, experiencing strain had no effect on emotionality or crime.

Question 21

According to Merton, anomie results from:

A) an overemphasis on cultural goals and less emphasis on socially legitimate means to achieve the goals
B) improper socialization in the family to teach strong values of right and wrong
C) a disjuncture between one's own goals and the goals of society
D) lack of equal access to legitimate means for achieving socially desirable goals
E) a and d

Question 22

In their application of anomie theory to gang delinquency, Cloward and Ohlin identify which of the following types of delinquent subcultures?

A) retreatist, drug-using subculture
B) conflict, fighting subculture
C) criminal, theft subculture
D) innovative, aggressive subculture
E) a, b, and c

Question 23

In their studies of delinquency in Chicago spanning several decades, Shaw and McKay found that:

A) neighborhoods heavily populated by disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups had the highest delinquency rates, no matter in what geographical areas of the city they resided
B) neighborhoods closest to the central business district had the highest rates of delinquency, even though the racial and ethnic composition of these neighborhoods changed substantially over time
C) neighborhoods closest to the central business district had the highest rates of delinquency offending, whereas adjacent areas farther from the city center had the highest rates of delinquency victimization
D) some disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups maintained low rates of delinquency although they resided in neighborhoods closest to the center of the city
E) scattered at various points throughout the city and its adjacent suburbs were distinctive "hot spots" of delinquent and criminal activity

Question 24

From Merton's perspective, which of the following is the mode of adaptation to strain that is most consistent with predatory forms of crime and delinquency?

A) retreatism
B) ritualism
C) innovation
D) rebellion
E) exploitation

Question 25

With which of the following descriptions of street crime is Merton's theory most consistent?

A) It is disproportionately committed by males.
B) It peaks in adolescence and young adulthood and declines thereafter.
C) It is disproportionately committed by people at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale.
D) It occurs disproportionately in urban areas.
E) All of the above are consistent with Merton's theory.

Question 26

Cohen's theory locates the source of the strain that produces delinquency in:

A) the inability to obtain material goods (e.g., cars, clothes) that are valued in American culture
B) the inability to obtain status and respect in society
C) blocked avenues to high-paying occupations
D) a sense of injustice engendered by discriminatory law enforcement in the juvenile justice system
E) pressures on adolescent boys to assume adult responsibilities in single-parent families

Question 27

According to Cohen, the delinquent subculture is an adaptation to status frustration through a process called:

A) reverse discrimination
B) reaction formation
C) status reclamation
D) nonutilitarian transformation
E) anomie

Question 28

Cloward and Ohlin's theory was developed to account for:

A) violent crime
B) secondary deviance
C) white-collar crime
D) corporate crime
E) delinquent subcultures

Question 29

Cloward and Ohlin build upon Merton's perspective by adding to it the idea of:

A) internal and external controls
B) personal and social controls
C) status deprivation
D) differential access to illegitimate opportunities
E) a subculture of violence

Question 30

According to differential opportunity theory, stable, lower-class ethnic neighborhoods:

A) have very little crime
B) are most likely to produce fighting gangs
C) are those in which organized crime is most likely to flourish
D) provide adult role models for gangs specializing in theft and fraud
E) c and d

Question 31

Which of the following delinquency prevention policies would Merton be most likely to advocate?

A) education and job-training programs
B) Big Brother/Big Sister programs aimed at establishing close ties to positive role models
C) reduction of violence in movies and television
D) programs to teach parents how to be more effective at reinforcing prosocial behavior and punishing antisocial behavior
E) b and d

Question 32

Viewed as a whole, research on the connection between educational/occupational aspirations, expectations, and delinquency seems to support the conclusion that:

A) youths with high aspirations and low expectations are most likely to be delinquent
B) youths with high aspirations are least likely to be delinquent, no matter what their expectations are
C) youths with low aspirations are least likely to be delinquent, no matter what their expectations are
D) there appears to be no relationship between aspirations and delinquency
E) a and b

Question 33

According to Walter Miller, delinquency is:

A) an adaptation to strain caused by blocked opportunity
B) a means of gaining acceptance according to the standards and expectations of lower-class culture
C) a product of the breakdown of informal systems of control in lower-class culture
D) a function of inadequate socialization
E) caused by status frustration

Question 34

Among the following, the focal concern of "smartness" is best illustrated in:

A) getting good grades in school
B) wearing stylish, trendy clothes
C) acts of physical daring
D) taking advantage of "suckers"
E) resistance to authority

Question 35

Which of the following is not a focal concern discussed by Miller?

A) smartness
B) toughness
C) autonomy
D) aggression
E) trouble

Question 36

Compare and contrast the strain theories of Robert Merton and Albert Cohen. In what ways are they similar? On what do they disagree? Which do you evaluate more highly, and why?

Question 37

Discuss the findings of research on the connection between expectations and aspirations and delinquency. What are the implications of these findings for Merton's anomie theory? For Hirschi's social control and Akers's social learning theories?

Question 38

Identify the key concepts and propositions associated with Agnew's general strain theory. In what ways does this formulation represent an advance over traditional strain theories of crime and delinquency?

Question 39

Critically evaluate Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity according to the criteria for evaluating theory outlined in Chapter 1.

Question 40

The revision of anomie/strain theory advanced by Messner and Rosenfeld is referred to as "institutional-anomie theory." How does this theory explain crime in the United States? In what ways does this theory build upon Merton's theory of social structure and anomie, and in what ways does it differ from Merton's theory?

Question 41

What policy implications are suggested by Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional-anomie theory? Discuss the feasibility of implementing these policies in the United States, and recommend ways of overcoming any obstacles to their implementation.

Question 42

Is the American dream reality or a myth? With so many people living in poverty, can we really say that America is still the land of opportunity? How would Merton address this question?

Question 43

Discuss Miller's focal concerns related to juveniles and lower-class culture.

Question 44

According to Merton, there are 5 responses to strain. For disadvantaged youth, which response do you think is most common? Which do you think would be most damaging? How do you encourage such youth to respond with conformity?

Question 45

Do you think the "American Dream" exists today? If so, what has affected the ability to achieve the American Dream in the last few decades? What do you think the American Dream will be in 50 years?

Question 46

Which is more important in American society, money or status? Which theory best explains your answer?

Question 47

Discuss the four value orientations of Messner and Rosenfeld's IAT. Which of the four do you believe is most present in American society? Which is the least present? Do you think this changes over time?