Durkheim and Merton - Criminological Theory - Lecture Slides, Slides of Criminology

Download Durkheim and Merton - Criminological Theory - Lecture Slides and more Slides Criminology in PDF only on Docsity! Durkheim&Merton Anomie or “Strain” Theories Docsity.com Emile Durkheim • French Sociologist • Suicide • Coined the Term “Anomie”: – When “institutionalized norms” lose their meaning and ability to control human behavior and needs • Mechanical vs. Organic Solidarity Docsity.com Strain Theory--Anomie at the Micro Level • Cultural Goal in U.S.? – This goal is universal – (The American Dream) • Institutionalized Means? – Due to the social structure in the U.S., the means are unequally distributed – Segment of society with no way to attain goal b/c they lack means Docsity.com Strain Theory (Micro) MODES OF CULTURAL STITUTIONALIZED ADAPTATION GOALS MEANS 1. Conformity + + 2. Innovation + - 3. Ritualism - + 4. Retreatism - - 5. Rebellion +/- +/- Docsity.com Support for Micro Strain Theory • Typically tested as the disjuncture between educational or economic “aspirations” and “expectations” • Little empirical support for this – Delinquents tend to have low expectations and aspirations – More recent tests have found some weak support Docsity.com Deterrence Theory • Roots • Specific vs. General • Macro vs. Micro • How would you measure the concepts at both the micro and macro level? • Empirical Support and Policy Implications Docsity.com Rational Choice / Opportunity • Don’t memorize Cornish and Clarke – Focus more on Deterrence theory • Important only as an example of a RCT that goes beyond “pure utility” – Why criticize if theorists go beyond “pure utility” or “pure deterrence?” • Routine Activity Theory Docsity.com Social Learning Theory • Focus on the Sutherland--Akers tradition. – Basic concepts of each(model for Akers) – How Akers modified Differential Association – Policy implications and empirical support – Measures and criticism of the measures Docsity.com Hirschi (1969) • How criticize early control theories? • Assumptions about human nature • Elements of the bond • Empirical Support • Policy Implications Docsity.com Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) • Nature of crime, nature of criminals • Causes of low self-control • Consequences of low self-control • Description of low self-control • Policy Implications / Empirical Support • Social Bond vs. General Theory – Similarities and Differences Docsity.com Pirate Variables • Sykes and Matza’s Techniques of Neutralization • Criminal Parents, Criminal Peers Docsity.com