Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories Chapter 5

Introduction The 20th Century brought major changes to American Society. Composition of cities changed Irish, Swedes, Germans, Italians, Poles, Russians Populations of cities changed Mechanization increased and farm workers lost jobs A time of organized crime (the 20’s-30’s) A rising crime rate The Chicago Studies

The Interconnectedness of Sociological Theories Sociological theories seek the reasons for differences in crime rates in the social environment. These theories are grouped into three categories. Strain Cultural Deviance Social Control

Anomie: Emile Durkheim Looking at the parts of society to see which ones are causing the breakdown. Structural-Functionalist Perspective Developed by Durkheim The explanation of human conduct lies within the group and the social organization. As society grows the common set of rules changes, groups become fragmented, actions and expectations of one group clash with those of another group.

Anomie & Suicide Why is suicide more common in some groups but not in others? Durkheim suggested through research that suicide rates increased during times of sudden change – Economic for example. Durkheim relates to the 20’s through “Black Thursday” Are we ever satisfied?

Strain Theory Robert Merton Society holds out the same goals to all its members without giving them equal means to achieve them. Merton suggests that the social structure is the root cause of crime—the structural explanation. Strain theory as given the name by contemporary criminologists.

Merton’s Theory of Anomie Merton’s explanation of criminal behavior assumes that people are law-abiding but when under great pressure will resort to crime. The disparity between goals and means provides that pressure. Merton argues that in a class oriented society opportunities to get to the top are not equally distributed. Meaning very few members of the lower class reach the upper class.

Merton’s Theory of Anomie His anomie theory emphasizes the importance of two elements in any society: Cultural aspirations, or goals that people believe are worth striving for. Institutionalized means or accepted ways to attain the desired ends. Disparity between goals and means creates frustration that leads to strain.

Merton’s Theory of Anomie The opportunity to move up the latter – is it there? Examples: Ray Kroc Sam Walton Michael Jordan Sammy Sosa

Merton’s Theory of Anomie India and it’s class system More rigid class system that the U.S. Low crime rate! Why is this? Indians learn from birth that there is not equal opportunities Not so in the United States

Modes of Adaptation Merton outlined five (5) ways in which people adapt to society’s goals and means. Conformity Most common mode of adjustment Accept the goals and modes to get there Innovation Accept the goals but may use illegal means to get there since legal means don’t work

Modes of Adaptation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion Abandon goals they once believed to be within reach and resign themselves to their lot in life. Retreatism People who give up both goals and means. Retreat into the world of drugs as an escape Rebellion Cultural goals and legitimate means are rejected. Substitute their own goals and means – Protests Militias are an example

Test’s of Merton’s Theory Merton then believes that the greatest proportion of crime will be found in the lower classes because the lower class people have the least opportunity to reach their goals legitimately. Meaning as class goes up -- crime goes down.

Social Class & Crime Not all people see the same situation (class) the same. However, the lower class has decreasing educational and occupational means causing strain. When opportunities or means for success are not provided equally to all members of society, pressure is exerted on some members of that society to engage in deviant behavior.

Race & Crime Democratic society stresses equal opportunities for individual achievement but in reality distributes resources on the basis of race, there is bound to be conflict. The most disadvantaged are precisely those that have trouble changing their situation – especially thorough the political process. That is why the courts were used in the civil rights era.

Evaluation: Merton’s Theory By focusing on crime at the lower levels of the socioeconomic levels it neglects crime at the middle and upper class levels. Some theorists argue that American subcultures have their own value system.

Institutional Imbalance & Crime Crime & the American Dream Steven Messner & Richard Rosenfeld The American dream – succeed by any means possible. According to this theory The American Dream causes crime.

Institutional Imbalance & Crime Education is important because it promises economic gain however learning for its own sake is unimportant. Do you follow them here? What difference does education make?

General Strain Theory Robert Agnew Failure to achieve material goals is not the only reason for committing crime. Crime is also related to anger and frustration that result when an individual is treated in a way that he or she doesn’t want to be treated in a social relationship.

General Strain Theory The most critical reaction for general strain theory is anger, an emotion that increases the desire for revenge, helps justify aggressive behavior, and stimulates individuals into action. Not all people commit crimes that this happens to as many people are equipped to deal with anger, etc. But others are not – they commit crime.

Theory Informs Policy The programs that emanate from strain theory attempt to give underprivileged children ways to achieve middle-class goals. Head Start Preschool projects Job Corps

Cultural Deviance Theories Programs based on cultural deviance theories concentrate on teaching middle class values. Cultural deviance theories attribute crime to a set of values that exist in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

The Nature of Cultural Deviance Cultural deviance theorists argue that our society is made up of various groups and subgroups, each with its own standards of right and wrong. Behavior considered normal in one group may be considered deviant in another group. Example: The Amish People Hell’s Angels

Social Disorganization Theory Social disorganization theory focuses on the development of high crime areas in which there is a disintegration of conventional values caused by rapid industrialization, increasing immigration, and urbanization.

The Park & Burgess Model Ecology is the study of plants and animals in relation to each other and to their natural habitat. Social Ecologists study the interrelationships of people & their environment. Park & Burgess examined area characteristics instead of criminals for explanations of high crime rates.

The Park & Burgess Model In order to explain how the process of invasion and succession worked on a large scale, Park and Burgess developed their concentric zone theory.  There were 5 zones: Zone I - Central business Zone II - Zone of Transition Zone III - Working Class Homes Zone IV - Middle Class Homes Zone V – Commuters Residents of one zone "migrate" to outer zones as their economic positions improve --and new residents take their place.

Shaw & McKay’s Work Studies Chicago Areas of high crime rates also had high community problems such as mental disorders, truancy, infant mortality. Most delinquency occurred in areas near the central business district. Some areas suffered high delinquency rates no matter the ethnic make up of the population.

Shaw & McKay’s Work High – Delinquency areas were characterized by a high percentage of immigrants, nonwhites, and low income families and a low percentage of home-ownership. In the high delinquency areas there was a general acceptance of non-conventional norms, but these norms competed with conventional ones held by some of the inhabitants.

Shaw & McKay’s Work These findings led to the conclusion that the critical factor was not ethnicity but, rather, the position of the group in terms of economic status and cultural values. They conclude that delinquency is socially learned behavior, transmitted from one generation to the other in disorganized urban areas. This is called Cultural Transition

Tests of Social Disorganization Theory Psychological & Social Effects Living in poor condition (neighborhood) takes its toll on a person. They feel less emotional investment in their community and want out – but can not escape. Parents keep the kids inside all the time When they do get out they lack street smarts and are taken advantage of.

Tests of Social Disorganization Theory Behavioral Effects Some communities fight back with community patrols, anticrime programs, and various activities to protect children. Economic Effects Property values decrease Middle and working class people leave the are to the most disadvantaged. The areas become concentrated poverty areas.

Evaluation: Social Disorganization Theory Criticized for the focus on how crime patterns arte transmitted, not on how they start in the first place. Why to delinquents stop committing crime as they get older?

Theory informs policy Most crime is committed by normal people responding in expected ways to their immediate surroundings, rather than by abnormal individuals acting out individual pathologies. Helping the community then should lower the crime rate.

The Chicago Area Project The Chicago Area Project was created in the 1930s by the sociologist Clifford R. Shaw to address the problems of juvenile delinquency in some of the poorest communities in Chicago. The values and philosophy of CAP are centered around improving the quality of neighborhood life with special focus on solving problems faced by young people and their families.

The Chicago Area Project Chicago Area Project is dedicated to advocacy on behalf of youth and other resident concerns. CAP provides direct service for youth and adults. CAP facilitates community organizing directed toward improving the quality of neighborhood life.

The Chicago Area Project The Chicago Area Project has over 40 affiliates and special projects throughout the city. Over the years, the programs and issues have changed, just as the neighborhood change. But the democratic ideals of self-determination and self-improvement remain the same and these key principles of the Chicago Area Project continue to serve its neighborhood.

Differential Association Theory Social influences that people encounter determine their behavior. Therefore whether a person becomes a law abiding citizen or criminal depends on their contacts with criminal values, attitudes, definitions, and behavior patterns. Sutherland’s Theory Crime is learned through social interaction! -- Favorable vs. Unfavorable contacts

Sutherland’s Nine Propositions People come into constant contact with definitions favorable and unfavorable to commit violation of the law. The ratio of the contacts determines whether a person will engage in criminal behavior. See the 9 propositions Propositions on page 135-136 of the new edition.

Tests of Differential Association Theory Travis Hirschi demonstrated that boys with delinquent friends are more likely to become delinquent. Agree?

Evaluation: Differential Association Theory Ok then how do correctional officers, probation and parole officers not become criminal?

Cultural Conflict Theory Culture conflict theory states that different groups learn different conduct norms and that the conduct norms of some groups may clash with conventional middle-class rules. Conduct Norms are rules that reflect the attitudes of the groups to which each of us belongs.

Cultural Conflict Theory The MOVE incident That’s All Folks!