Question 1

Which theory focuses on the urban conditions, such as high unemployment and school dropout rates, to explain crime?

Accepted Answer

A)  strain theory
B)  social disorganization theory
C)  cultural deviance theory
D)  general strain theoryE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A)  American Dream
B)  American Hope
C)  American Ideal
D)  American MythE) None of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 3

Examples of Walter Miller's lower-class focal concerns include achievement, status, and delayed gratification.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

According to social structure theory, the key to understanding the root cause of crime can be found in the nation's socioeconomic makeup. Explain what is meant by this statement.

Accepted Answer

Social structure theory suggests that the root cause of crime can be attributed to the socioeconomic makeup of a nation. This means that the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and resources within a society plays a significant role in shaping individuals' behavior and choices.

According to this theory, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to engage in criminal activities as a means of survival or to attain the material possessions that they lack access to. This is because they may feel marginalized and excluded from mainstream society, leading them to resort to illegal means to achieve their goals.

On the other hand, individuals from higher socioeconomic backgrounds may also be driven to commit crimes due to the pressure to maintain their status and wealth, or as a result of the privileges and entitlements that come with their social position.

In essence, social structure theory emphasizes the impact of economic inequality, social stratification, and lack of opportunities on the prevalence of crime within a society. It highlights the importance of addressing these structural issues in order to effectively reduce crime rates and create a more equitable and just society.

Question 5

Walter Miller identified the unique conduct norms (focal concerns) that help define lower-class culture. Identify and use Miller's focal concerns to explain how cultural deviance theory combines the effects of social disorganization and strain theories.

Accepted Answer

Walter Miller identified six focal concerns that help define lower-class culture: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy. These focal concerns reflect the values and attitudes that are prevalent in lower-class communities and shape the behavior of individuals within these communities.

Cultural deviance theory combines the effects of social disorganization and strain theories by suggesting that the unique conduct norms of lower-class culture, as identified by Miller, contribute to the development of deviant behavior. Social disorganization theory emphasizes the impact of a disorganized and unstable environment on individuals, while strain theory focuses on the pressure and frustration experienced by individuals when they are unable to achieve societal goals through legitimate means.

In cultural deviance theory, the focal concerns identified by Miller play a significant role in shaping the response of individuals to social disorganization and strain. For example, the focal concern of trouble may lead individuals to engage in deviant behavior as a way to cope with the challenges and conflicts present in their environment. The focal concern of toughness may lead individuals to prioritize physical strength and aggression as a means of gaining respect and survival in their community, potentially leading to violent or criminal behavior.

Overall, cultural deviance theory suggests that the unique conduct norms of lower-class culture, as identified by Miller, interact with the effects of social disorganization and strain to influence the development of deviant behavior within these communities.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

As working and middle-class families flee inner-city poverty areas, the most disadvantaged population is consolidated in urban ghettos. This phenomenon results in a poverty:

Accepted Answer

A)  solidity effect.
B)  concentration effect.
C)  cohort effect.
D)  instability effect.E) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 8

In his theory of anomie, sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology. Discuss the foundations of Merton's anomie theory and the social adaptations found within this strain theory.

Accepted Answer

Robert Merton's theory of anomie is base...

Question 9

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

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)  status frustration
B)  youth deprivation
C)  juvenile constants
D)  teenage anomieE) C) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 11

Oscar Lewis argues that the crushing lifestyle of lower-class areas produces ________ that is passed on from one generation to the next.

Accepted Answer

A)  a culture of poverty
B)  physical deterioration
C)  social deterioration
D)  family disorganizationE) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 12

According to Shaw and McKay, a __________ neighborhood is an area wracked by extreme poverty and suffering high rates of population turnover.

Accepted Answer

A)  subcultural
B)  transitional
C)  concentric
D)  ecologicalE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 13

According to the author, the most important of Shaw and McKay's findings was that:

Accepted Answer

A)  crime rates increase as police services increase.
B)  over time crime rates shift outward from Zones I & II to the suburban zones.
C)  crime rates correspond to neighborhood structure.
D)  the number of abandoned buildings decreases as emigration increases.E) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 14

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

A)  success frustration
B)  status frustration
C)  social frustration
D)  lower-class delinquent frustrationE) A) and C)
F) A) and B) B

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A)  violent crime
B)  gang formation
C)  vandalism
D)  drug dealingE) All of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 16

Strain theory holds that crime is a function of:

Accepted Answer

A)  unequal distribution of wealth.
B)  loss of informal institutions of social control.
C)  conflict between people's goals and means.
D)  available methods of achievement.E) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 17

What two elements of culture interact to produce anomie and/or anomic conditions?

Accepted Answer

A)  informal social control and public social control
B)  middle-class measuring rods and educational underachievement
C)  culturally defined goals and socially approved means for obtaining them
D)  community cohesiveness and collective efficacyE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 18

Social strata are created by the unequal distribution of wealth. While the upper-class is exceptionally well-to-do, ______ people live in poverty in America.

Accepted Answer

A)  1,000,000
B)  17,000,000
C)  37,000,000
D)  67,000,000E) All of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 19

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of _____ and social disorganization theories.

Accepted Answer

A)  strain
B)  poverty
C)  socialization
D)  transmissionE) A) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 20

________ are segments of the population whose members have a relatively similar portion of desirable belongings, and who share attitudes, values and norms.

Accepted Answer

A)  Social groups
B)  Social classes
C)  Social subcultures
D)  Social culturesE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Exam 6: Social Structure Theory

Which theory focuses on the urban conditions, such as high unemployment and school dropout rates, to explain crime?

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

Examples of Walter Miller's lower-class focal concerns include achievement, status, and delayed gratification.

Correct Answer
verified

According to social structure theory, the key to understanding the root cause of crime can be found in the nation's socioeconomic makeup. Explain what is meant by this statement.

Walter Miller identified the unique conduct norms (focal concerns) that help define lower-class culture. Identify and use Miller's focal concerns to explain how cultural deviance theory combines the effects of social disorganization and strain theories.

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

Correct Answer
verified

As working and middle-class families flee inner-city poverty areas, the most disadvantaged population is consolidated in urban ghettos. This phenomenon results in a poverty:

Correct Answer
verified

In his theory of anomie, sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology. Discuss the foundations of Merton's anomie theory and the social adaptations found within this strain theory.

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Robert Merton's theory of anomie is base...
View Answer

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

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

Oscar Lewis argues that the crushing lifestyle of lower-class areas produces ________ that is passed on from one generation to the next.

Correct Answer
verified

According to Shaw and McKay, a __________ neighborhood is an area wracked by extreme poverty and suffering high rates of population turnover.

Correct Answer
verified

According to the author, the most important of Shaw and McKay's findings was that:

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
B

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

Correct Answer
verified

Strain theory holds that crime is a function of:

Correct Answer
verified

What two elements of culture interact to produce anomie and/or anomic conditions?

Correct Answer
verified

Social strata are created by the unequal distribution of wealth. While the upper-class is exceptionally well-to-do, ______ people live in poverty in America.

Correct Answer
verified

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of _____ and social disorganization theories.

Correct Answer
verified

________ are segments of the population whose members have a relatively similar portion of desirable belongings, and who share attitudes, values and norms.

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 6: Social Structure Theory

Which theory focuses on the urban conditions, such as high unemployment and school dropout rates, to explain crime?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Examples of Walter Miller's lower-class focal concerns include achievement, status, and delayed gratification.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to social structure theory, the key to understanding the root cause of crime can be found in the nation's socioeconomic makeup. Explain what is meant by this statement.

Walter Miller identified the unique conduct norms (focal concerns) that help define lower-class culture. Identify and use Miller's focal concerns to explain how cultural deviance theory combines the effects of social disorganization and strain theories.

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

As working and middle-class families flee inner-city poverty areas, the most disadvantaged population is consolidated in urban ghettos. This phenomenon results in a poverty:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In his theory of anomie, sociologist Robert Merton applied the sociological concepts first identified by Emile Durkheim to criminology. Discuss the foundations of Merton's anomie theory and the social adaptations found within this strain theory.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIRobert Merton's theory of anomie is base...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Oscar Lewis argues that the crushing lifestyle of lower-class areas produces ________ that is passed on from one generation to the next.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to Shaw and McKay, a __________ neighborhood is an area wracked by extreme poverty and suffering high rates of population turnover.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the author, the most important of Shaw and McKay's findings was that:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedB

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Strain theory holds that crime is a function of:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What two elements of culture interact to produce anomie and/or anomic conditions?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Social strata are created by the unequal distribution of wealth. While the upper-class is exceptionally well-to-do, ______ people live in poverty in America.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Cultural deviance theory combines elements of _____ and social disorganization theories.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

________ are segments of the population whose members have a relatively similar portion of desirable belongings, and who share attitudes, values and norms.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
Robert Merton's theory of anomie is base...
View Answer

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B

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