Chapter 2 Positivist Theories. Introduction Positivists try to explain horrible deviant acts –Such...

Chapter 2

Positivist Theories

Introduction

• Positivists try to explain horrible deviant acts–Such VA Tech shootings, through

past social experiences • Ex. Inadequate or flawed socialization and grievances against society

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Anomie-Strain Theory

• Anomie: breakdown of social norms• A-S theory examines how anomie

causes deviance• Merton focused on goals-means gap

–Ways in which society encourages deviant behavior



• By setting unreasonable goals but not the tools needed to attain them

• Durkheim: anomie is absence of norms and this leads to deviance

• Merton: Different view than Durkheim –Deviance occurs when society

encourages individuals to commit it



• By creating a type of pressure that promotes deviance

• Merton:–Legitimate means of success not

freely available to all classes–Lower classes are trapped into

resorting to illegitimate means to achieve success



• The level of success promoted by social institutions as normal, appropriate and attainable

– By encouraging high aspirations and denying avenues of success:• Society inadvertently creates deviance

– Conformity: accepting both society-approved goals and means



–Innovation: • Use of illegitimate means to achieve socially accepted/promoted high success goals

–Ritualism: abandoning high success goals but pursuing legitimate work

–Retreatism: withdrawal from goals and means of society



–Rebellion:

•Rejection of prevailing social expectations and support for overthrowing the system

–Ex. social institutions, bureaucracy, etc.


Albert Cohen: Status Frustration

• Cohen modified Merton’s strain theory

– Introducing the delinquent subculture driven by status frustration

• Cohen: lower-classed youths react (status frustration and reaction formation) to:

– Unreasonable middle-class measuring rod (social expectations) by turning to deviance



• Cloward & Ohlin: –Extended Merton’s theory by focusing

on differential illegitimate opportunities

• 3 types of illegitimate opportunities/subcultures:–Criminal subculture; youth achieve

goals by stealing, robbing and fencing



• Moving stolen goods–Conflict subculture; violent gangs give

status to thugs–Retreatist subculture; drug use

• New direction in A-S theory:–More emphasis on U.S. culture that

values success by any means



–Pursuit of economic success leads to lack of concern for others and promotes self interest

–Exploring other areas of strain• e.g. death of loved one, serious illness and relationship problems

–Presence of negative stimuli, e.g. child abuse and neglect


Social Learning Theory

• Deviant behavior is learned through one’s interaction with others –Like any other behavior

• Sutherland: deviance occurs in people who have more concentrated criminal: –Than anti-criminal contacts

(differential association)


Social Learning Theory

• Glaser’s differential identification theory: individual must identify with criminals

• Burgess & Akers’ differential reinforcement or social learning: –People will engage in criminal activity

if rewarded


Control Theory

• Explores why people conform, not deviate; –Accepts Freudian idea that deviance

can occur naturally, without social control

• Hirshi: strong bonds to society ensure conformity –While weak bonds lead to deviant acts


Control Theory

• Tittle: lack of control balance – too little or too much control over others – –Can cause deviance

• Braithwaite: proposed shaming as form of social control–Disintegrative shaming – Shunning,

Stigmatization, banishment, etc.


Control Theory• Reintegrative shaming – More positive in

that the wrongdoer is shunned and banished• But then openly welcomed back into the

community.• Deterrence doctrine: emphasizes role of

formal social control in deterring deviance– Assumes humans are rational & will continue

to commit crime unless the cost is severe


Control Theory

• Severity, certainty and swiftness all can influence crime rate

• General deterrence: –Deter public from committing crime

through punishment examples• Specific deterrence: meant to deter

criminals from committing more crime


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