Anomie Theory

I. Mertons Social Structure and Anomie

A. Two Elements of Social Structure
B. Polar Types of Society
C. Types of Adaptation
D. Criticisms
II. Differential Opportunity Theory
A. Legitimate opportunity structure
B. Illegitimate opportunity structure
C. Subcultures & neighborhood organization
Notes
Mertons Social Structure and Anomie
Social structural theory explaining variations in crime rates across
societies and groups within society.
Merton: Structural functionalist
Consensus
Society consists of functional interrelated components
(institutions)
How do social structures exert definite pressure on some groups
to engage in deviant behavior?
Notes
Two Elements of Social Structure
Culturally-defined goals, interests, purposes
Shared goals transending class lines
Focus on economic activity: exchange of goods
and services
America: monetary accumulation is the key
symbol of prestige
American dream (ideology)
Institutionalized norms within social structure
Define, regulate, control acceptable modes of
achieving goals
Laws (codified norms) function to maintain an
orderly social and economic structure
Notes
Polar Types of Societies
Polar type: Anomic Societies
Emphasize goals, deemphasize norms
High crime rates
Volatile, changing
Polar Type: Ritualistic Societies
Deemphasize goals, emphasize norms
Original purpose is lost, ritualized.
Very low crime rates
Stagnant, tradition-bound
Polar Type: Stable, Integrated Societies
Balance between stress on goals and norms
Success defined as mere participation.
Positive incentives for all positions
Low crime rates
Notes
Anomic Societies
When social structure extols common symbols of success for all,
and effectively restricts access to legitimate modes for some
segment of the population, deviance ensues on a large scale.
American Society is Anomic
Structural barriers to women, blacks, poor
False ideology of meritocracy
Horatio Algers stories perpetuate myth
Notes
Modes of Individual Adaptation
Conformity: Conventional role behavior
Accept goals, accept norms
Most common mode
Innovation: Adopt illegal means to attain goals
Accept goals, reject norms
Crime and delinquency
Lower class face barriers, turn to organized rackets
Notes
Modes of Individual Adaptation
Ritualism: Lower ones goals
Reject goals, accept norms
Cope with failure, throw self into following norms
Characteristic of lower middle class
Retreatism: Drop out of society
Reject goals and norms
Least common: psychotics, homeless, drunks, addicts
Highly condemned by society
Rebellion: Try to change society through revolt
Recognize failure is due to fault of the system
Organize a rebellion to attain a meritocracy
Notes
Cloward & Ohlins
Differential Opportunity Theory
Integrated anomie & differential association theories.
Explain the origin and persistence of delinquent subcultures.
Delinquent subcultures: the subculture includes delinquency
as role behavior.
Posit two structures: legitimate & illegitimate opportunity
structure.
Notes
Legitimate Opportunity Structure
Mertons structure: shared goals, institutionalized norms,
structural barriers
But aspirations are oriented to moving up the status ladder
one rung at a time
Disjuncture between goals and norms (structural barriers)
lead to pressures to deviate
When those pressures are the same for a given social status,
pressure for a collective challenge is increased
Depends on illegitimate opportunity structure
Notes
Illegitimate Opportunity Structure
Not everyone can succeed illegitimately
Borrowed from differential association theory
Learning structures (of subcultural delinquency)
Role behavior, criminal values, attitudes
Techniques and skills
Performance structures (of subcultural delinquency)
Objective opportunity created by other members
Illegitimate opportunity varies by neighborhood
Notes
Neighborhood Organization & Types of
Delinquent Subcultures
Type of Neighborhood Illegitimate
Subculture Organization Opportunities

1. Theft Stability Organized theft &
(Criminal) Age grading rackets
Criminal-conventional bonds Criminals

2. Conflict Instability (brings heat) Only resource is
(Gang fighting) No age grading physical prowess
No crime-conventional bonds Turf gangs

3. Retreatist Depends on self blame Obtaining and
(Drug) (any neighborhood) vs. consumming drugs
structure (disorganized) Double dropouts

Notes:
Innovation of a Delinquent Subculture
Requires a collective solution to the problem (no legitimate
opportunity).
Structurally, a collective solution is more likely when
blocked individuals occupy the same social status.
Individually, a collective solution is more likely when
blocked individuals attribute blame to an unjust system.
Innovation occurs through probing tentative conversation of
gestures (Albert Cohen).
Result: innovation of a new (illegal) solution to a problem
Notes
Policy Implication: Mobilization for Youth
Increase Legitimate Opportunities for Youth**
Improve education: teacher training & improve
curriculum; preschool
Create jobs: Youth Jobs Center, vocational training
programs
Organize lower class community politically
Decrease Illegitimate Opportunities for Youth
Organize lower class community against gangs
Counseling services for lower class families
Youth services: detached social work programs for
gangs, Adventure Corps, coffee hangout
Notes