criminology ch 6
underclass
lowest social stratum in any country whose members lack the education and skills needed to function successfully in modern society
organic solidarity
postindustrial social systems, which are highly developed and dependent upon the division of labor; people are connected by their interdependent needs for one anothers svc and production
collective efficacy
social control exterted by cohesive communities, based on mutual trust, including intervention in the supervision of children and maintenance of public order
cultural transmission
the concept that conduct norms are passed down from one generation to the next so that they become stable within the boundaries of a culture. guarantees that group lifestyle and behavior are stable and predictable
relative depravation
the condition that exists when people of wealth and poverty live in close proximity to one another. some criminologists attribute crime rate differentials to relative deprivation
strain
the emotional turmoil and conflict caused when people believe they cannot achieve their desires and goals through legitamate means
american dream
the goal of accumulating material goods and wealth through individual competition; the process of being socialized to pursue material success and to believe it is achievable
institutional anomie theory
the view that anomie pervades US culture because the drive for material wealth dominates and undermines social and community values
social structure theory
the view that disadvantaged economic class position is primary cause of crime
differential oppurtunity
the view that lower class youths, whos legitamite oppurtunities are limited, join gangs and pursure criminal careers as alternative means to achieve universal succes goals
culture of poverty
the view that people in the lower class of society form a separate culture with its own values and norms that are in conflict with conventional society; the culture is self maintaining and ongoing
mechanical solidarity
a characteristic of preindustrial society which is held together by traditions, shared values, and unquestioned beliefs
anomie
a condition produced by normlessness. because of rapidly shifting moral values, the individual has few guides to what is socially acceptable. according to merton, anomie is a condition that occurs when personal goals cannot be achieved by available means in agnews revision, anomie can occur when positive or valued stimuli are removed or negative or painful ones applied
college boy
a disadvantaged youth who embraces the cultural and social values of the middle class and actively strives to be successful by those standards. this type of youth is embarking on almost a hopeless path because he is ill equipped academically, socially, and linguistically to achieve the rewards of middle class life
status frustration
a form of culture conflict experienced by lower class youths because social conditions prevent them from achieving success as defined by the larger society
gentrification
a residential renewal stage in which obsolete housing is replaced and upgraded; areas undergoing such change seem to experience an increase in crime rates
delinquent boy
a youth who adopts a set of norms and principles in direct opposition to middle class values, engaging in short run hedonism, living for today and letting tomorrow take care of itself
negative affective states
according to agnew, depression, anger, dissapointment, fear, and other adverse emotions that derive from strain
general strain theory
according to agnew, the view that multiple sources of strain interact with an individuals emotional traits and responses to produce criminality
corner boy
according to cohen, a role in the lower class culture in which young men remain in their birth neighborhood, acquire families and menial jobs, and adjust to the demands of their environment
reaction formation
according to cohen, rejecting goals and standards that seem impossible to achieve. because a boy cannot hope to get into college, for example, he considers higher education a waste of time
middle class measuring rods
according to cohen, the standards by which teachers and other representatives of state authority evaluate lower class youths. because they cannot live up to the middle class standards, lower class youths are bound for failure, which gives rise to frustration and anger at conventional society
focal concerns
according to miller, the value orientation of lower-class culture. features include the need s for excitment, trouble, smartness, and personal autonomy
culture conflict
according to sellin, a condition brought about when the rules and norms of individuals subcultural affliction conflict with the roles and demnds of conventional society
transitional neighborhood
areas undergoing a shift in population and structure, usually from middle class residential to lower class mixed use
truly disadvantaged
wilsons term for lowest level of underclass
stain theory
branch of social structure theory that sees crime as a function of the conflict between peoples goals and the means available to obtain them
cultural deviance theory
branch of social structure theory that sees strain and social disorganization together resulting in a unique lower class culture that conflicts with conventional social norms
social ecologist
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strain theorists
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subculture theory of anomie
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conduct norms
behaviors expected of social group members. if group norms conflict with the general culture, members of the group may find themselves described as outcasts or criminals.
social disorganization theory
branch of social structure theory that focuses on the breakdown of institutions such as family, school and employment in inner city neighborhoods
at risk
children and adults who lack the education and skills needed to be effectively in demand in modern society
stratified society
grouping according to social strata or levels. american society is considered stratified on the basis of economic class and wealth
siege mentality
residents that become so suspicious of society that they consider the outside world o be the enemy out to destroy the neighborhood
incivilities
rude and uncivil behavior; behavior that indicates little caring for the feelings of others
