Deck 7: Homeboys, New Jacks, and Anomie, John Mhagedorn

Question 1

Hagedorn's critique of the cultural deviance theory is that _____.

A)It reinforces popular stereotypes about gangs and gang members
B)It is too focused on the general social structure
C)It is not compatible with the changing empirical reality
D)It proposes that biological differences cause deviant cultural adaptations

Answer 1

It reinforces popular stereotypes about gangs and gang members

Question 2

According to Hagedorn, an updated anomie theory would define drug dealings as ____.

A)Resistance from the underclass
B)An innovative response of young minority males to blocked opportunity
C)A consequence of the discrepancy between common cultural goals and opportunity
D)All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

Hagedorn's finding that "nearly all Milwaukee gang members engaged in some drug dealing in the absence of good jobs" can be best explained by ______.

A)Social disorganization
B)Anomie/strain theory
C)Cultural deviance theory
D)Conflict theory

Answer 3

Anomie/strain theory

Question 4

Hagedorn's findings suggest that ______.

A)Gang members hold different values than common Americans
B)Commitment of gang crime is caused by internalized deviant values
C)Gang crime is better explained by lack of opportunities
D)Violence is an immutable characteristic of all gang members

Question 5

According to Hagedorn, New Jacks ______.

A)Prefer street life to conventional family life
B)Endorse conventional family values and feel forced into street life
C)Are more street oriented
D)Share little in common in attitudes with average Americans

Question 6

Explain how Hagedorn believes racial discrimination contributes to the conceptual framework of classical Anomie theory.Do you see any other possibilities for this variable that Hagedorn didn't envision? If so, describe them.