Criminologists have suggested that among the reasons for the decline in reported crime rates in the 1990s are the improved economic conditions and lower unemployment. How might a sociologist explain this in regard to the idea of anomie?
A) As unemployment declines, there are fewer people "on the streets" with nothing to do.
B) The improvement in the economy leads potential criminals to seek a regular job.
C) As more people find jobs, there is a corresponding decline in the numbers of people who feel disoriented.
D) The decline in unemployment helps portray work as a better path to a good life.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sociologists would interpret the decline in crime rates in the 1990s as a result of improved economic conditions and lower unemployment as a reduction in anomie - a state of normlessness where individuals feel disconnected from the social order and are more likely to engage in deviant behavior. As more people find jobs and experience a sense of social inclusion, they are less likely to feel disoriented and more likely to conform to social norms, leading to a decrease in crime rates.

Criminologists Have Suggested That Among the Reasons for the Decline