Question 1

Research findings on the discrepancy between adolescents' educational and occupational aspirations and their expectations have provided strong evidence in support of anomie theory.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 2

According to Cohen's version of anomie theory, participation in the delinquent subculture is a reaction by lower-class boys to the inability to gain social status by living up to middle-class standards.

Accepted Answer

Cohen's anomie theory suggests that lower-class boys experience status frustration when they cannot achieve success by middle-class standards, leading them to form or join delinquent subcultures as an alternative means of gaining status.

Question 3

According to Merton, anomie results when rapid social change disrupts stable norms and values, producing a condition of normlessness or social deregulation.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

The concepts of anomie and social disorganization are similar in that both refer to a societal condition in which social control mechanisms become so restrictive and repressive that people feel pressured to break free of them.

Accepted Answer

Anomie and social disorganization refer to a breakdown or absence of social norms and structures, not to overly restrictive social control mechanisms.

Question 5

Cohen's theory conjures up an image of delinquency as a desperate attempt to get cars, clothes, jewelry, and other valued items through the only means available to deprived lower-class adolescents.

Accepted Answer

Cohen's theory of delinquent subcultures suggests that delinquency arises from status frustration among lower-class youths who cannot achieve success through conventional means, leading them to form subcultures with alternative values, not just a focus on material goods.

Question 6

According to Agnew's general strain theory, crime and delinquency are adaptations to stress, regardless of the source of stress.

Accepted Answer

Agnew's general strain theory posits that individuals engage in crime and delinquency as a response to stress or strain, which can arise from various sources such as failure to achieve goals, loss of positive stimuli, or the presence of negative stimuli.

Question 7

Agnew's revision of anomie theory retains a focus on accounting for class differences in rates of crime and delinquency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agnew's revision of anomie theory retains a...

Question 8

In Walter Miller's view, the behavior of lower-class delinquent boys reflects subcultural values that are deviant.

Accepted Answer

Walter Miller argued that lower-class delinquent boys exhibit behaviors that align with subcultural values, which are often seen as deviant by mainstream society.

Question 9

In Walter Miller's view, the lower class has a distinct culture that differs in significant respects from the culture of middle-class America.

Accepted Answer

Walter Miller proposed the concept of "focal concerns" which suggests that the lower class has its own set of values and norms that differ from those of the middle class, forming a distinct subculture.

Question 10

Correlations between income inequality and crime rates are consistent with anomie theory but inconsistent with social disorganization theory.

Accepted Answer

Anomie theory and social disorganization theory both suggest that income inequality can lead to higher crime rates, but they explain it through different mechanisms. Anomie theory focuses on the breakdown of social norms, while social disorganization theory emphasizes the weakening of community structures.

Question 11

Farnworth and Leiber's research on anomie theory-which they claim uses better measures of the key concepts in Merton's theory-provides strong support for the theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Farnworth and Leiber's research on anomie theory-which...

Question 12

According to Cohen's version of anomie/strain theory, participation in the delinquent subculture is a reaction by middle-class boys to the inability to achieve status in conventional society.

Accepted Answer

Cohen's version of anomie/strain theory suggests that it is working-class boys, not middle-class boys, who participate in delinquent subcultures due to their inability to achieve status in conventional society.

Question 13

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity proposes that there are three different types of specialized delinquent subcultures-criminal, conflict, and retreatist.

Accepted Answer

Cloward and Ohlin's theory of differential opportunity suggests that access to illegitimate means varies, leading to the formation of three types of delinquent subcultures: criminal, conflict, and retreatist.

Question 14

Agnew has identified some prevention programs that are consistent with general strain theory but that differ significantly from programs based on learning and bonding theories.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Agnew has identified some prevention programs that...

Question 15

Merton's theory of social structure and anomie offers only an explanation of macro-level differences in crime and offers no insights into how individuals may respond to anomie.

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory of social structure and anomie explains both macro-level differences in crime and individual responses to anomie through different modes of adaptation.

Question 16

Institutional-anomie theory approaches Merton's anomie theory from a strictly macro-structural perspective and extends the analysis to a variety of institutions in the social structure.

Accepted Answer

Institutional-anomie theory builds on Merton's anomie theory by examining how various social institutions contribute to societal norms and values, focusing on the macro-structural level.

Question 17

General strain theory expands on the macro-structural dimensions of anomie theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of General strain theory expands on the macro-structural...

Question 18

According to Messner and Rosenfeld, "American cultural exceptionalism" is the most researched and empirically supported aspect of institutional-anomie theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Messner and Rosenfeld, "American cultural...

Question 19

Recent research found that the highest predicted rates for theft were observed for the nation-states with a strong economy.

Accepted Answer

The research found that the highest predicted rates for theft were observed for the nation-states with a strong economy.

Question 20

According to Peck, experiencing strain had no effect on emotionality or crime.

Accepted Answer

Peck's research suggests that experiencing strain can lead to increased emotionality and potentially contribute to criminal behavior.

Quiz 9: Anomie and Strain Theories