CRM 2301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Atavism, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Biosocial Theory
22 Jun 2018
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Chapter 3: Biological Theories Page 31-34
More conservative attitudes of mid- 1970s through the present gave rise to
assumptions of consensus on values, favoring the re-emergence of non social
theories.
Biology;
oWork in the biology of crime focused in 70s-80s
Referred to as biosocial theory is an excellent example of the
orientation of modern biological theorists.
Mednick assumes that all individuals must learn to control natural
urges toward antisocial and criminal behaviour.
This learning takes place in the family and within peer
groups and is based on the punishment of undesirable
behaviours.
Chapter 6: Anomie (Strain & Structural Theories)
Intro & Heritage
oIntroduction;
Anomie is a concept closely associated Emile Durkheim and
Robert K Merton.
Durkheim used anomie to describe a condition of “deregulation
occurring in society.
The general procedural rules of society (the rules that say
how people ought to behave toward each other) have
broken down and people do not know what to expect from
each other.
This deregulation or normlessness easily leads to deviant
behaviour.
Major points;
o1) Most members of society share (or are socialized into) a common value
system.
o2) This common value system teaches us both the things we should strive
for (cultural goals) and the most appropriate ways (societal means) to
achieve those goals.
o3) If the goals and the means to achieve them are not equally stressed, an
anomic condition is created.
o4) In a disorganized society, different degrees of access to these goals and
means exist. Thus, the means are not equally distributed within a
disorganized society.
o5) Some societies, such as that of the US, may place too much stress on
success goals. In a disorganized society, this results in a striving toward
those goals, but not enough access to the means to achieve them.
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o6) W/o reasonable access to the socially approved means, members of
society will attempt to find some way to resolve the pressure to achieve.
Those alternative solutions are called “modes of adaptation”.
o7) The various modes of adaptation are formed by combinations of
accepting, rejecting, or substituting for the goals and the means.
a) If, in the face of moral pressure, the individual continues to
“accept” the value of both the goals and the means, the form of
behaviour exhibited will be conforming. This is the most common
form of adaptation. (Conformist)
b) If the individual accepts the goals but rejects the means to
achieve them, the form of behaviour will be deviant and
innovative. Here, more available and faster ways of achieving the
goals are created. (Innovator)
c) If the individual sees the goals as unattainable (rejects them) but
accepts the means anyway, the form of behaviour will be deviant
but ritualistic. In this case, the focus of the individual becomes the
means rather than the ends. (Ritualist)
d) If the individual rejects both the goals and the means, the form
of behaviour will be deviant and retreatist. A person engaged in
this behaviour will no longer strive toward the goals and not even
continue and the normal stream of life. (Retreatist)
e) If both the goals and the means are rejected and then substituted
for, the form of behaviour will be deviant and rebellious. This form
of deviance actually rejects the way society is currently set up and
attempts to create a new form of society. (Rebel)
Chapter 7: Subculture Theories
Intro & Heritage
oIntroduction;
Albert Cohen page 79-81 Subculture of Delinquency
oCohen's subculture theory is usually referred to as strain or structural
theory.
o
oMajor points;
1) Members of society share a common value system that
emphasizes certain values over others. In the US, these values are
closely associated with the middle class.
2) Most of these common values stress goals that result in the
gaining of status; therefore status itself becomes a generally
approved goal.
3) Opportunities to reach these goals are more often available to
the middle class than to the lower class.
4) Societal institutions, especially schools, reflect middle-class
value goals and use them to evaluate those who come in contact
with the institution.
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5) Because of their limited opportunities, lower-class youths are
often evaluated unfavorably by the school system, leading to
frustration in their pursuit of status.
6) Unable to gain status through the use of conventional school
opportunities(grades, social standing), lower-class youths rebel
(reaction-formation) against middle-class values while still keeping
status as a goal.
7) Over a period of time, lower-class youths collectively create a
new value system in opposition to middle-class values. The
standards of this new value system are mostly anti-conventional
and afford the youths opportunities for gaining status.
8) This “delinquent solution” is passed on through the transmission
of values from youth to youth and generation to generation,
fostering an ongoing delinquent subculture that provides status for
behaviour that is negativistic, malicious, and non utilitarian.
Cloward & Ohlin page 81-84
oMajor points;
Miller page 84-86 Lower-class Focal Concerns
oMajor points;
1) Society is composed of different social classes whose lifestyles
or subcultures have both common and differing features.
2) The subcultures of the lower, middle, and upper classes differ in
significant respects from one another.
3) Because the dominant culture is the middle class, the existence
of different values often brings the lower class into conflict with
the dominant culture.
4) Lower-class values serve to create young male behaviours that
are delinquent by middle-class standards but that are normal and
useful in lower-class life.
5) Lower-class subcultures place special emphasis on a set of
issues or “focal concerns” that influence customary behaviour.
These include trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate and
autonomy.
6) Many lower-class males are raised in fatherless households.
Learning behaviour and attitudes appropriate to adult male roles
thus poses special problems.
7) Youth gangs provide a context for learning important elements
of adult male roles for many lower-class youth. Gangs also provide
psychological benefits such as a sense of belonging, opportunities
for gaining prestige, and enhanced self-esteem.
8) Gang crime that seriously victimizes the larger community is in
part a by-product of efforts by lower-class youth to attain goals
valued within their subcultural milieu.
Summary
oConcept of subculture was the real problem
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find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
More conservative attitudes of mid- 1970s through the present gave rise to assumptions of consensus on values, favoring the re-emergence of non social theories. Biology: work in the biology of crime focused in 70s-80s. Referred to as biosocial theory is an excellent example of the orientation of modern biological theorists. Mednick assumes that all individuals must learn to control natural urges toward antisocial and criminal behaviour. This learning takes place in the family and within peer groups and is based on the punishment of undesirable behaviours. Anomie is a concept closely associated emile durkheim and. Durkheim used anomie to describe a condition of deregulation occurring in society. The general procedural rules of society (the rules that say how people ought to behave toward each other) have broken down and people do not know what to expect from each other. This deregulation or normlessness easily leads to deviant behaviour.
