Criminological Theory (Soc 8300)



Criminological Theory (Soc 8300)

Spring 2008, Assignment #3

Anomie/Strain Theories

Assignment Questions:

1. What did Robert Merton (1938) argue was the primary cause of crime in American society? How has this theory been criticized?

2. According to Messner and Rosenfeld, what is the “American dream?” Why do they think that the American dream criminogenic? How do “institutions” play a role in this theory?

Things to think about:

• In many ways, Agnew’s general strain theory was an attempt to address criticisms of Merton’s theory. How does Agnew do this? In other words, how does GST eliminate the problems that led to Merton’s theory being criticized?

• Messner and Rosenfeld’s Institutional Anomie theory is the macro level update to Merton’s original theory. How do Messner and Rosenfeld modify Merton’s theory?

• What are the two tracks to high crime rates in Messner and Rosenfeld’s theory?

• Merton (1938) essentially produces two separate theories—a macro level theory and a micro level theory. Identify each of these theories.

• What are the policy implications from the theories of Merton, Messner and Rosenfeld, and Agnew?

• How do Mazerolle and Paternoster measure “strain” in their test of Agnew’s GST? Are these reasonable/good measures? How is delinquency measured? What are their central findings? Do their measures of strain predict delinquency?

• What are Messner and Rosenfeld’s policy recommendations? What empirical evidence do they offer to support their theory? Look, in particular at the chart on p.103 and their discussion of the decommodification index. Why do they use homicide as a measure of crime?

• How does Cohen’s Delinquent Boys and Cloward and Ohlin’s Delinquency and Opportunity fit with other strain theories?

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