Deck 7: Strain Theories

Question 1

One direct policy implication of strain theory that was implemented was the war on poverty.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

According to general strain theory, belief that valued goals cannot be met is a major deviance-producing strain.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Drug use is a legitimate means of coping.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The polity is the priority institution in American society according to institutional anomie theory.

Question 5

Albert Cohen was an early strain theorist who believed that delinquency occurs because lower class males experience status frustration in comparison to middle class males.

Question 6

One of the main differences between traditional strain theorists such as Merton, Cloward and Ohlin, and Durkheim and Agnew, who is a modern general strain theorist, is that general strain theory focuses on individual's relationships with others while traditional strain theorists focus on individual's relationships with society as a whole.

Question 7

According to general strain theory, an individual who feels pressured/experiences strain will always resort to committing some delinquent or criminal act.

Question 8

Institutional anomie theory attempts to explain differences in crime rates between the Northern and Southern parts of the United States.

Question 9

The cultural norm identified as the "American Dream" balances the importance of family and monetary success.

Question 10

According to Merton, the cultural imbalance in America explains why there are higher crime rates.

Question 11

According to Merton's traditional strain theory, "anomie" is the:

A) The disjuncture between positively valued goals and socially approved means
B) The disjuncture between negatively valued goals and socially approved means
C) Amount of social capital in a neighborhood
D) Amount of collective efficacy in a neighborhood

Question 12

George is an active meth addict. George spends his days looking for a new "fix" by using whatever means necessary. George has given up on his original dreams of going to medical school and getting a job as a doctor. Which of Merton's modes of adaptation does George's scenario best fit?

A) Conformity
B) Innovation
C) Rebellion
D) Retreatism

Question 13

According to Agnew's general strain theory, strain results from which of the following:

A) Blockage of positively valued goals
B) Presentation of noxious stimuli
C) Removal of positively valued stimuli
D) Both A and C
E) All of the above

Question 14

Agnew's general strain theory states that the emotion which drives an individual to commit deviance is

A) Depression
B) Anger
C) Frustration
D) Excitement

Question 15

Strain theory supports the idea that crime occurs because of a discrepancy between:

A) Perception and reality
B) Aspirations and expectations
C) Motivation and goals
D) Ability and goals

Question 16

Merton believed that there are 5 modes of adaptation to strains. These modes are:

A) Fundamentalists, forgivers, ritualists, retreatists, and retaliationists
B) Fundamentalists, forgivers, realists, retreatists, and retaliationists
C) Conformists, innovators, realists, renovators, and rebels
D) Conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels

Question 17

According to one of Merton's adaptations to strain, some people accept the goals of society, but reject the means by which to achieve them. These people would be classified as:

A) Conformists
B) Fundamentalists
C) Innovators
D) Retreatists

Question 18

One distinctive feature of early strain theories is that they:

A) Explained crime among lower class males
B) Explained violent crime
C) Were empirically supported by research
D) Were all developed in Europe

Question 19

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of strain identified 3 adaptations. These are:

A) Conformist gangs, ritualistic gangs, and rebellion gangs
B) Criminal gangs, conflict gangs, and retreatist gangs
C) Legitimate gangs, illegitimate gangs, and conflict gangs
D) Delinquent gangs, school gangs, and neighborhood gangs

Question 20

According to Cohen's middle class "measuring rod" perspective, most crime is:

A) Committed by individuals
B) Purposeless
C) Financially motivated
D) A middle-class problem

Question 21

How is institutional anomie theory (IAT) different from other variations of strain theory? What is the basis of IAT and what are its implications for policy?

Question 22

Institutional anomie is the combination of culture and structure. How does the theory integrate these two components, and how does it add to an explanation of crime?

Question 23

Why do strain theorists believe that there is a disparity in emphasis on cultural goals among those in the lower classes? What structural barriers perpetuate barriers to goal achievement?

Question 24

Merton identified five forms of adaptation: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. For each of these, identify the culturally defined goals/ends and structurally defined means. Provide an example scenario using each of the five adaptations, goals/ends, and means for the following situation:
Jillian was accepted to Harvard on early admission. Her grades in high school were excellent and her SAT/ACT scores were the highest in her class. Despite her success, she did not qualify for enough scholarship money and her economic background limits the amount of available financial aid. She may not have the necessary funds to attend the college of her dreams. What are possible ways for her to adapt to this strain?

Question 25

Cloward and Ohlin believe that gang delinquency is motivated by a status reaction against middle-class values. Why do they believe such strain motivates gang behavior? Is this still true of gang delinquency today?

Question 26

The War on Poverty was a policy implication of strain theory and aimed to address structural inequalities. Construct a policy initiative to combat modern strains in the US.

Question 27

Why did strain theories fall out of favor? What led to their resurgence? Are they still relevant today? Why or why not?

Question 28

What are the three elements of Agnew's General Strain Theory? How does each element contribute to feelings of strain? Which one do you believe is most important in explaining delinquency or criminal behavior?

Question 29

Describe a situation in which it is possible for strains to be positive. What about the situation allows for adaptive coping?

Question 30

How do storylines provide for the incorporation of context into explanations of adaptations to strain?