Sociological Theories: The Anomie Strain Theory Part I

1
Sociological Theories The Anomie Strain Theory
Part I

• Society is an Underachiever

2
We Live in a Stratified Society
3
Poverty Creates

• Lower self Worth
• Advertising Campaigns are about Owning new and
  better things
• Inadequate Living Conditions
• Housing
• Health Care
• Disrupted Lives

4
Strain and Cultural Deviance Theories
5
Emile Durkheim(1858-1917)Structural-Functionalist

• Structural-Functionalist perspective was
  developed by Emile Durkheim

6
The Structural-Functional Perspective

• Cohesion
• Cooperation
• Consensus

7
Strain Theorists

• A Strain Theorist is a Criminologist who views
  crime as a product of Lower Class Strain and Anger

8
Strain Theory

• Argues that all members of society subscribe to
  one set of cultural valuesthat of the middle
  class
• ANOMIE (from a nomos, without norms-not normal)

9
Rapid Social Change Causes Crime

• Mechanical Solidarity
• Held together by traditions, shared values and
  beliefs
• Organic Solidarity
• People are Connected by their needs created by
  the division of labor

10
POVERTY

• Development of isolated lower class culture
• Lack of conventional social opporturnities
• Racial and Ethnic Discrimination

11
Maintenance of Conventional Rules and Norms

• Lower Class Residents Remain Loyal to Values of
  the DOMINANT Middle Class

12
Strain

• The Lower Class wants the success level of the
  Middle Class, Creating Strain
• There are Fewer Opportunities for this Success
  (Unequal Distribution of Means to Achieve Goals)

13
Formation of Gangs and Disruptive Groups

• If Success cannot be attained by the same route
  the Middle Class can do it, The Lower Class can
  be successful by violating the Law

14
Crime

• Innovation
• I cannot achieve through legitimate means
• Retreatism
• Reject the Goals, Withdraw Mentally or Physically
• Rebellion
• New Goals