Deck 6: Anomie Theory

Question 1

According to Merton, his theory and differential association are complimentary.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

If an individual accepts the goals of society but rejects the means to achieve them, then Merton referred to their adaption mode as _______________.

Answer 2

Innovation.

Question 3

According to anomie theory, although the lower class suffers the greatest social inequality, they do not have a higher rate of involvement in deviant behavior.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

In Durkheim's "mechanical society" people have:

A) A simple societal form.
B) Specialized labor.
C) Group oriented goals.
D) interactive sets of relationships.

Question 5

According to anomie theory if a person rejected the goals but accepted the means, that person would be exhibiting behavior characterized as:

A) Reaction formation.
B) Aggression.
C) Ritualism.
D) Status frustration.

Question 6

Theorists like Kornhauser along with Brown, Esbensen & Geis have argued that one way to reduce anomie is to reduce ______________.

Question 7

Anomie can be defined as:

A) Disjunction between cultural goals and socially approved means.
B) A condition in which society interferes with the efficient development of conformity.
C) A structural condition that encourages information.
D) The lack of bonding to the moral order.

Question 8

What is the most common of the four deviant modes of adaptation

A) rebellion
B) ritualism
C) retreatism
D) innovation

Question 9

Anomie theory, as described by Robert Merton, is:

A) Macro, classical, and conflict oriented.
B) Micro, process and consensus oriented.
C) Micro, process and conflict oriented.
D) Macro, structural and consensus oriented.

Question 10

Shoplifting, auto theft and burglary would best fit into which of Merton's five modes of adaptation?

A) Innovation
B) Ritualism
C) Retreatism
D) Rebellion

Question 11

The complex contractual society that Durkheim saw implementing the division of labor was one he characterized by _____________solidarity

Question 12

Merton did not support assumptions from:

A) Karl Marx.
B) Sigmund Freud.
C) Structural functionalists.
D) Talcott Parsons.

Question 13

Theories that place the sources of strain in the way that society is divided or arranged are referred to as _________________ strain theories.

Question 14

Steven Messner and Richard Rosenfeld modified strain theory to include more specific areas of social breakdown. They call their version ___________strain theory.

Question 15

Anomie is often called a functionalist theory.

Question 16

According to Durkheim, deregulated society is also likely to cause:

A) Lower rates of incarceration.
B) Organic solidarity.
C) Lower rates of innovation.
D) Higher rates of suicide.

Question 17

If a person rejects both the goals and means and then substitutes new goals and means, that person is engaging in retreatism.

Question 18

Merton's theory of deviant behavior:

A) Involves the relationship between goals and means
B) Relies on concentric zones around central city areas
C) Assumes that social conditions are static and resistant to change
D) All of the above

Question 19

Innovation is one of Merton's deviant modes of adaptation.

Question 20

For Elliott and Voss, shifting the focus of strain to the immediacy of goals, allowed them to include which group in their research:

A) The elderly.
B) Middle class delinquents.
C) Foreigners.
D) White-collar criminals

Question 21

What are some of the policy implications of anomie theory?

Question 22

Why does the United States seem to be in a permanent state of anomie?

Question 23

Compare and contrast Durkheim's conception of anomie with Merton's conception of anomie.

Question 24

Briefly describe some of the ideas, people or experiences that influenced Merton as a sociologist.

Question 25

Describe in detail the five ways, or modes, of adapting to strain.

Question 26

Briefly describe the differences between organic and mechanical societies and explain how these two societal types relate to crime.