Question 1

Which change to society would most undermine the basis of strain theory?

Accepted Answer

Strain theory posits that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crimes. It particularly focuses on the disconnect between societal goals (e.g., wealth and success) and the means available to achieve them. Eliminating people's desire for wealth and material possessions would directly undermine the basis of strain theory by removing the societal pressure to achieve through potentially illicit means.

Question 2

Which branch of social structure theory proposes that social disorganization and strain encourage the development of subcultures?

Accepted Answer

Cultural deviance theory suggests that social disorganization and strain lead to the development of subcultures that may adopt norms and values in conflict with mainstream society, thus explaining certain patterns of deviance or criminal behavior.

Question 3

What term is used to describe the passage of subcultural values from one generation to the next?

Accepted Answer

Cultural transmission refers to the process by which a society's culture is passed on from one generation to the next, including subcultural values.

Question 4

George often told his son, Martin, about how the police harassed him growing up as a new immigrant living in a bad part of town. Martin has experienced some poor interactions with the police, tries to avoid police, and has very little trust in the fairness or morals of the local police. Martin's son has never had any contact with the police, but shares his father's views. What term best describes why Martin's son feels this way?

Accepted Answer

Martin's son's views are an example of cultural transmission, where attitudes, values, or behaviors are passed from one generation to the next within a culture or social group, even without direct personal experience.

Question 5

What is a basic tenet of social disorganization theory?

Accepted Answer

Social disorganization theory posits that crime is primarily due to the breakdown of social institutions (like family, school, and community organizations) in certain neighborhoods, particularly in urban slums. This breakdown leads to a lack of social control and an increase in crime.

Question 6

In what way are strain theory, social disorganization theory, and cultural deviance theory united?

Accepted Answer

These theories share a perspective that socially isolated individuals and communities are more vulnerable to the pressures that lead to crime, emphasizing the role of social and environmental factors in influencing criminal behavior.

Question 7

Who described the ecological nature of criminal areas?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay are known for their research on the ecological nature of criminal areas, particularly in their work on social disorganization theory, which focuses on how the environment contributes to social disorganization and crime.

Question 8

In which city did Shaw and McKay link life in transitional slum areas to crime?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay conducted their research in Chicago, where they linked life in transitional slum areas to crime, developing the social disorganization theory.

Question 9

According to Shaw and McKay, which type of neighbourhood will have high crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay's theory of social disorganization suggests that transitional neighborhoods, which are areas undergoing significant changes in population and structure, often experience higher crime rates. This is because such areas typically have weakened social institutions and less community cohesion, making them more susceptible to crime.

Question 10

Which type of neighbourhood has high rates of turnover and is incapable of inducing residents to remain and defend the neighbourhood against criminal groups?

Accepted Answer

Transitional neighborhoods often have high rates of turnover due to their nature of being in a state of flux, either undergoing gentrification or deterioration. This instability can make it difficult for residents to form strong community ties or have a vested interest in defending the neighborhood against criminal elements, leading to higher crime rates and further instability.

Question 11

Which concentric zones have the heaviest concentrations of crime?

Accepted Answer

The transitional inner-city zone, often characterized by deteriorating neighborhoods and a mix of residential and commercial properties, typically has the heaviest concentrations of crime. This is due to factors such as high population density, economic deprivation, and social disorganization.

Question 12

Which term is most related to the concentric zone model?

Accepted Answer

The concentric zone model is most related to ecological factors, as it is a theory in urban sociology and geography that divides cities into concentric zones with different types of land use, reflecting social structures based on environmental factors.

Question 13

Because of their deviant values, disadvantaged young people often show resistance toward existing middle-class norms. What is this called?

Accepted Answer

This is referred to as a "value conflict," which occurs when individuals or groups have differing values, leading to a clash or resistance, in this case, between disadvantaged young people and middle-class norms.

Question 14

According to Shaw and McKay, what element was missing for new immigrant families living in transitional neighbourhoods that they were accustomed to in their previous environment?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay identified the lack of informal social control mechanisms as a key element missing for new immigrant families in transitional neighborhoods, which contributed to social disorganization and higher crime rates. These mechanisms include community norms and networks that traditionally regulate behavior without the need for formal law enforcement.

Question 15

According to Shaw and McKay, why was the effectiveness of the neighbourhood as a unit of control and as a medium for the transmission of the moral standards of society greatly diminished in transitional neighbourhoods?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay attributed the diminished effectiveness of the neighborhood as a unit of control and as a medium for the transmission of moral standards in transitional neighborhoods to the industrialization of the area, which led to the dissolution of neighborhood culture and organization.

Question 16

According to Shaw and McKay's statistical analysis of their theoretical suspicions of concentric zones, which two zones had the highest crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay's research, foundational to the social disorganization theory, found that crime rates were highest in the inner zones (I and II) of cities. These areas were characterized by high levels of poverty, ethnic heterogeneity, and residential mobility, which they argued led to social disorganization and higher crime rates.

Question 17

What community-based treatment program was founded by Clifford Shaw?

Accepted Answer

The Chicago Area Project was founded by Clifford Shaw, focusing on juvenile delinquency prevention through community involvement and empowerment.

Question 18

Why is the criticism that Shaw and McKay relied on police records to calculate neighbourhood crime rates so important?

Accepted Answer

Using police records may reflect police practices and biases rather than actual crime rates, potentially skewing the data and conclusions about neighborhood crime.

Question 19

Which statement best exemplifies Shaw and McKay's findings regarding social disorganization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement best exemplifies Shaw and McKay's...

Question 20

What do modern social ecologists stress in their purer form of structural theory?

Accepted Answer

Modern social ecologists, in their structural theory, emphasize the link between the deterioration of communities, often due to economic decline, and the increase in criminal activities. This perspective focuses on how social and economic factors within a community's structure contribute to its overall health and safety.

Quiz 7: Social Structure Theories