1. Chapter 2 Positivist Theories

2. Introduction Positivists try to explain horrible deviant acts –Such VA Tech shootings, through past social experiences Ex. Inadequate or flawed socialization and grievances against society © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Anomie-Strain Theory Anomie: breakdown of social norms A-S theory examines how anomie causes deviance Merton focused on goals-means gap –Ways in which society encourages deviant behavior © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Anomie-Strain Theory By setting unreasonable goals but not the tools needed to attain them Durkheim: anomie is absence of norms and this leads to deviance Merton: Different view than Durkheim –Deviance occurs when society encourages individuals to commit it © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Anomie-Strain Theory By creating a type of pressure that promotes deviance Merton: –Legitimate means of success not freely available to all classes –Lower classes are trapped into resorting to illegitimate means to achieve success © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Anomie-Strain Theory The level of success promoted by social institutions as normal, appropriate and attainable –By encouraging high aspirations and denying avenues of success: Society inadvertently creates deviance –Conformity: accepting both society- approved goals and means © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Anomie-Strain Theory –Innovation: Use of illegitimate means to achieve socially accepted/promoted high success goals –Ritualism: abandoning high success goals but pursuing legitimate work –Retreatism: withdrawal from goals and means of society © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Anomie-Strain Theory –Rebellion: Rejection of prevailing social expectations and support for overthrowing the system –Ex. social institutions, bureaucracy, etc. © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

10. Albert Cohen: Status Frustration Cohen modified Merton’s strain theory –Introducing the delinquent subculture driven by status frustration Cohen: lower-classed youths react (status frustration and reaction formation) to: –Unreasonable middle-class measuring rod (social expectations) by turning to deviance © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

11. Anomie-Strain Theory Cloward & Ohlin: –Extended Merton’s theory by focusing on differential illegitimate opportunities 3 types of illegitimate opportunities/subcultures: –Criminal subculture; youth achieve goals by stealing, robbing and fencing © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

12. Anomie-Strain Theory Moving stolen goods –Conflict subculture; violent gangs give status to thugs –Retreatist subculture; drug use New direction in A-S theory: –More emphasis on U.S. culture that values success by any means © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

13. Anomie-Strain Theory –Pursuit of economic success leads to lack of concern for others and promotes self interest –Exploring other areas of strain e.g. death of loved one, serious illness and relationship problems –Presence of negative stimuli, e.g. child abuse and neglect © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

15. Social Learning Theory Deviant behavior is learned through one’s interaction with others –Like any other behavior Sutherland: deviance occurs in people who have more concentrated criminal: –Than anti-criminal contacts (differential association) © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

16. Social Learning Theory Glaser’s differential identification theory: individual must identify with criminals Burgess & Akers’ differential reinforcement or social learning: –People will engage in criminal activity if rewarded © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

18. Control Theory Explores why people conform, not deviate; –Accepts Freudian idea that deviance can occur naturally, without social control Hirshi: strong bonds to society ensure conformity –While weak bonds lead to deviant acts © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. Control Theory Tittle: lack of control balance – too little or too much control over others – –Can cause deviance Braithwaite: proposed shaming as form of social control –Disintegrative shaming – Shunning, Stigmatization, banishment, etc. © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

20. Control Theory Reintegrative shaming – More positive in that the wrongdoer is shunned and banished But then openly welcomed back into the community. Deterrence doctrine: emphasizes role of formal social control in deterring deviance –Assumes humans are rational & will continue to commit crime unless the cost is severe © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

21. Control Theory Severity, certainty and swiftness all can influence crime rate General deterrence: –Deter public from committing crime through punishment examples Specific deterrence: meant to deter criminals from committing more crime © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.