Additions to Anomie Theory

John Hamlin
Sociology 2311
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
UMD

Albert Cohen -- Delinquent Subculture

Suggested Merton's individual forms of adaptation were not accurate
big concern seems to lie with the innovative form of adaptation
misses the point that young people do not act in a vacuum, rather they are influenced by those around them
they interact in a delinquent subculture (gang) with identifiable characteristics

Characteristics of Delinquent Subculture

Non utilitarianism

Stealing just for the fun of it. Not necessarily rational.

Maliciousness

Mean, soul purpose is to cause problems.

Negativism

Takes middle-class norms and turns them upside down. The opposite becomes what is cherished.

Short-run Hedonism

Immediate gratification. Pleasure seeking.

Group Autonomy

The authority of the group is the only authority respected. Resists "normal" authority.
Status Frustration
As Curran And Renzetti point out (pg. 119)
The delinquent subculture, then, is lower-class boys' collective solution to the problem of status frustration: Since they cannot acquire status by conforming to middle-class values, they reject these values. They replace them with a new set of values-- the delinquent subculture-- against which they can be judged successful, at least by their peers. In the gang, they can prove their masculinity and raise their status, especially if they excel in delinquent activities.

social and economic limitations
family structure
developmental handicaps

there is a problem between achieved status (school) and ascribed status (family)

lower class youth have no ascribed status from home and the school stresses middle class values.

We use a middle class measuring rod to gage everyone's behavior; we even measure ourselves by that standard

ambition

responsibility

achievement (academic work and athletics

deferred gratification

rationality

courtesy

constructive use of time

respect for property

can conform to middle class values or rebel

Lower class youths reaction is:

corner boy

college boy

delinquent boy

Walter B. Miller -- Lower Class Culture

MILLER, AN ANTHROPOLOGIST

USED OBSERVATIONAL TECHNIQUES TO OBSERVE GROUPS IN BOSTON

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IS PREDOMINANTLY MALE AND LOWER CLASS. CONTRARY TO COHEN'S REACTION TO MIDDLE-CLASS VALUE APPROACH, MILLER SEES DELINQUENCY AS A REFLECTION OF LOWER-CLASS CULTURE.

DISAGREED WITH COHEN'S ASSERTION THAT MIDDLE CLASS VALUES WERE IMPORTANT, OVER ESTIMATED

ALTHOUGH WE SHARE SOME VALUES THERE IS DISAGREEMENT OVER OTHERS, SOME VALUES ARE MORE IMPORTANT TO MIDDLES CLASS THAN TO LOWER CLASS

THE LOWER CLASS IS A DISTINCT CULTURE,

THESE DIFFERENCES AUTOMATICALLY BRING LOWER CLASS YOUTH INTO CONFLICT WITH MIDDLE CLASS STANDARDS,

LOWER CLASS VALUES ARE IMPORTANT FOR SURVIVAL FOR LOWER CLASS MALES (DISTINCT GENDER ROLES ARE NOT EVEN QUESTIONED)

THE ATTEMPT TO ACHIEVE VALUES CHERISHED BY LOWER-CLASS CULTURE RESULTS IN DELINQUENCY.

GENERATING MILIEU

Single-parent families

Female-headed household

Lack of male role model

Trouble: Getting into trouble is routine and expected as is trying to stay out of trouble.
Toughness: Physical Prowess and bravery. MASCULINITY, ENDURANCE, STRENGTH
Excitement: Thrill Seeking - Risk Taking.
Fate: Good Luck -- Bad Luck.
Autonomy: Being in control of one's self, not having to take orders from others.

Subculture of Violence

Violence is a common reaction in lower-class cultures. Not only a common response but those not willing to resort to violence ridiculed.Think about disciplinary actions.

Robert Agnew -- Anomie reworked

Agnew changes the notion of strain as well as the forms of adaptation

There are Pressures towards deviant behavior

Failure to Achieve positively valued goals
1. Disjuncture between aspirations and achievements
  This is close to what Merton was talking about
  goals and achievements are not the same thing.
  For Agnew this is least important
2. Expectations and achievements don't match
  This is more realistic. One's expectations are attainable whereas one's aspirations are pie in the sky.
  This produces real disappointment on the part of individuals
3. Perception of what is fair does not fit actual outcome
  One's perception of equity or fairness makes all of this more like relative deprivation.
Denial or removal of previously attained positive achievements

Stressful life events, failing an exam, breaking up with a love one etc.
Exposure to negative or noxious stimuli

Being in a powerless position, vulnerable
picked on by bully at school for example

Individuals do adapt and don't just innovate as a rational alternative to stress
- ignore or minimize the strain
- take responsibility for behavior
- gain revenge
Internal and external constraints will help to determine if deviance is the response to stress

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Copyright: © 2001, John Hamlin
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Oct-2005 06:49:48 CDT
Page URL: http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/jhamlin/2311/CohenMillerAgnew.html
Page Coordinator:John Hamlin