Question 1

Judith and Peter Blau developed the concept of __________, the idea that anger and mistrust result from perceptions of inequality that lead lower-class people to feel deprived and embittered in comparison with those more affluent.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the question is known as relative deprivation, which was developed by Judith and Peter Blau. This theory proposes that feelings of anger and mistrust result from a perception of inequality that leads to a sense of deprivation and resentment among lower-class individuals in comparison to those who are more affluent.

Question 2

Cloward and Ohlin's classic work Delinquency and Opportunity combined strain and social disorganization principles to explain

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's work focuses on gang formation as a response to strain and social disorganization. They argue that gangs provide youths with an opportunity to achieve status and success when traditional avenues for achieving those goals are blocked. Gangs also offer a sense of community and protection for youth who may not have stable family or community structures.

Question 3

Social structure theories suggest that social and economic forces operating in deteriorated lower-class areas push many area residents into criminal behavior patterns.

Accepted Answer

Social structure theories propose that poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and other societal factors concentrated in certain areas lead to higher crime rates. This theory suggests that individuals living in these areas are more likely to engage in criminal activities as a means of survival or out of frustration with their circumstances.

Question 4

According to institutional anomie theorists, the _________ is both a goal and process to accumulate goods and wealth.

Accepted Answer

Institutional anomie theorists argue that American society places a heavy emphasis on success and material wealth as the ultimate goals of individuals. This emphasis on achieving the American Dream drives individuals to pursue wealth and gain, often at the expense of other social values such as community and family. Thus, the accumulation of goods and wealth is both a goal and a process for achieving the American Dream, according to institutional anomie theorists.

Question 5

Cohen's theory of delinquent subcultures focuses on social conditions that prevent lower-class youths from achieving success legitimately. Cohen labels this form of culture conflict

Accepted Answer

Cohen's theory is based on the idea of status frustration, which is the result of lower-class youths being unable to achieve success through legitimate means. This frustration leads to the development of delinquent subcultures as a way for these individuals to gain status and identity within their social group. The other options are not terms or concepts associated with Cohen's theory.

Question 6

Children who grow up in low-income homes are less likely to achieve in school and less likely to complete school than children who do not grow up in low-income households.

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies have shown that children growing up in poverty face educational disadvantages from a very young age, which often continue throughout their lives. Factors like inadequate nutrition, lack of access to quality health care, unstable housing situations, and exposure to community violence can all negatively impact a child's academic performance, making them more likely to struggle in school and less likely to complete their education.

Question 7

People who live in neighborhoods that experience high levels of crime and civil disorder become suspicious and mistrusting.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that people who live in high-crime and disorder areas tend to have higher levels of mistrust, suspicion, and fear towards others. This is because they may feel unsafe and vulnerable, leading them to view others with suspicion and caution.

Question 8

Strain is limited in affluent areas because educational and vocational opportunities are available.

Accepted Answer

Affluent areas typically have better schools and more resources for career development, which can alleviate some of the strain that individuals in lower income areas may experience due to limited opportunities.

Question 9

Subcultural values are handed down from one generation to the next in a process called

Accepted Answer

The process of passing subcultural values from one generation to the next is called cultural transmission. It involves the transfer of beliefs, norms, and practices from older members to younger members of the same subculture. This process ensures that the subcultural values remain intact and are preserved over time.

Question 10

General strain theory is not purely a structural theory because it focuses on how _____ influence behavior.

Accepted Answer

General strain theory argues that negative life events or strains, such as poverty, unemployment, and discrimination, can create pressure to engage in criminal behavior. Therefore, it focuses on how life events influence behavior, rather than solely on structural factors.

Question 11

Minority and white group members are equally likely to be poor.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that minority groups, particularly Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations, are disproportionately impacted by poverty compared to white Americans. This is often attributed to systemic barriers and historical factors such as discrimination, limited education and job opportunities, and inadequate access to resources and services.

Question 12

The "truly disheartened" is the term used by William Julius Wilson to describe socially isolated people who dwell in urban inner-cities, who occupy the bottom rung of the social ladder, and who are the victims of discrimination.

Accepted Answer

William Julius Wilson used the term "the truly disadvantaged" to describe this group, not "the truly disheartened."

Question 13

The social disorganization concepts articulated by Shaw and McKay enjoyed short-term prominence due to the growing homogeneity of American society over time.

Accepted Answer

The social disorganization concepts articulated by Shaw and McKay are still relevant today as inequality and social fragmentation continue to persist in American society. While there has been some degree of homogenization, particularly in suburban areas, there are still notable differences in resources, opportunities, and social networks across neighborhoods and cities. Moreover, globalization and technology have created new forms of social disorganization and crime that were not present during Shaw and McKay's time.

Question 14

__________ reflects the view that multiple sources of strain interact with an individual's emotional traits and responses to criminality.

Accepted Answer

General strain theory proposes that individuals experience strains or stressors that can lead to negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and depression, which can then lead to criminal behavior. These strains can come from multiple sources including economic, social, and personal factors, and are influenced by an individual's emotional traits and responses to criminality. The theory suggests that individuals are more likely to engage in criminal behavior when they perceive that they have limited opportunities to achieve their goals and have negative experiences or outcomes.

Question 15

Agnew suggests that criminality is the direct result of __________ - the anger, frustration and adverse emotions associated with destructive social relationships.

Accepted Answer

Agnew's General Strain Theory suggests that criminal behavior is a response to negative affective states, such as anger and frustration, that result from experiencing strain in one's life. This strain can arise from a number of sources, including economic disadvantage, interpersonal conflict, and the failure to achieve one's goals or aspirations.

Question 16

Because social conditions prevent them from achieving success legitimately, lower-class youths experience a form of culture conflict that Albert Cohen labels

Accepted Answer

Albert Cohen labels the culture conflict experienced by lower-class youths as "status frustration," which arises from the inability to achieve societal status and success through legitimate means. Cohen argues that this frustration can lead to the formation of deviant subcultures as a way to attain status within their own group.

Question 17

Shaw and McKay's statistical analysis confirmed that even though crime rates changed, the highest rates were always in Zones I and Zone II.

Accepted Answer

Shaw and McKay's statistical analysis confirmed that the highest crime rates were consistently in Zones I and II, regardless of changes in overall crime rates over time.

Question 18

Walter Miller identified the unique conduct norms that define the lower-class culture and that often clash with conventional values. Which of the following is not one of those norms?

Accepted Answer

Education is not one of the conduct norms that define the lower-class culture according to Miller. The other three are Fate (viewing life events as uncontrollable), Toughness (being able to endure and overcome hardships), and Autonomy (valuing independence and self-reliance).

Question 19

Collective efficacy refers to the social control exerted by cohesive communities that is based on mutual trust.

Accepted Answer

Collective efficacy is indeed the social control exerted by cohesive communities that is based on mutual trust.

Question 20

According to the author, the most important wielder of informal social control is religion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the author, the most important...

Quiz 6: Social Structure Theory