Durkheim&Merton Anomie or “Strain” Theories

Emile Durkheim French Sociologist Suicide Coined the Term “Anomie”: –When “institutionalized norms” lose their meaning and ability to control human behavior and needs Mechanical vs. Organic Solidarity

Robert K. Merton Social Structure and Anomie (1938) From Durkheim: Institutionalized norms are weakened in societies that place an intense value on economic success Applied this to the United States –Culturally Valued Goals –Institutionalized Means

Anomie -- Macro Level The “road not taken” Explanation of high crime rates in the United States? –Follows close to Durkheim –Gist = Unrestrained American capitalism and fetish with money creates anomie Picked up by Messner and Rosenfeld

Strain Theory--Anomie at the Micro Level Cultural Goal in U.S.? –This goal is universal – (The American Dream) Institutionalized Means? –Due to the social structure in the U.S., the means are unequally distributed –Segment of society with no way to attain goal b/c they lack means

Strain Theory (Micro) MODES OF CULTURAL STITUTIONALIZED ADAPTATION GOALS MEANS 1. Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion +/- +/- MODES OF CULTURAL STITUTIONALIZED ADAPTATION GOALS MEANS 1. Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion +/- +/-

Support for Micro Strain Theory Typically tested as the disjuncture between educational or economic “aspirations” and “expectations” Little empirical support for this –Delinquents tend to have low expectations and aspirations –More recent tests have found some weak support

Criticisms of Merton and “Strain” Theory Is crime a “lower class” phenomena? Why ritualist vs. innovator? Cannot explain “expressive” crimes Weak empirical support Hirschi = “Oversocialized Man”

Exam I Review Evaluating Theories –Know Criteria –Know which are most important –Be able to apply them to the theories that we’ve discussed

Deterrence Theory Roots Specific vs. General Macro vs. Micro How would you measure the concepts at both the micro and macro level? Empirical Support and Policy Implications

Rational Choice / Opportunity Don’t memorize Cornish and Clarke –Focus more on Deterrence theory Important only as an example of a RCT that goes beyond “pure utility” –Why criticize if theorists go beyond “pure utility” or “pure deterrence?” Routine Activity Theory

Social Learning Theory Focus on the Sutherland--Akers tradition. –Basic concepts of each(model for Akers) –How Akers modified Differential Association –Policy implications and empirical support –Measures and criticism of the measures

Gerald Patterson Know the theory (diagram) Policy Implications Is he a control or learning theorist?

Control Theories Early control theories –Nye, Reckless Hirschi (1969) –Social Bond Theory Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) –The General Theory

Hirschi (1969) How criticize early control theories? Assumptions about human nature Elements of the bond Empirical Support Policy Implications

Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) Nature of crime, nature of criminals Causes of low self-control Consequences of low self-control Description of low self-control Policy Implications / Empirical Support Social Bond vs. General Theory –Similarities and Differences

Pirate Variables Sykes and Matza’s Techniques of Neutralization Criminal Parents, Criminal Peers