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                                                                           ANOMIE THEORY

Durkheim

Mechanical vs. Organic solidarity

Three abnormal forms of the division of labor

Forced division of labor - distribution of occupations does not follow distribution of talent

Insufficient functional activity - workers do not develop a sense of participation in a common enterprise

Anomie - insufficient effective contacts between individuals to maintain adequate regulation of social relationships

Three sources of anomie

Sudden depression

Sudden prosperity

Rapid technological change

Types of suicide

Egoistic - results from extreme independence of individual in society

Altruistic - results from group pressures requiring self-destruction

Fatalistic - results from excessive regulation that leads individuals to conclude their futures are blocked and to individual passions being choked by oppressive discipline

Anomie - results from individuals being thrown out of adjustment with their typical ways of life so there is a sense of not making progress with respect to their desires. Aspirations will rise beyond all possibility of fulfillment, producing anomie (normlessness)


Stable societies are those in which cultural goals allow individuals to respect collective authority.

Merton


Elements of Social Structure

Cultural goals  - more or less integrated, ordered hierarchically, aspirational frame of reference

Institutional norms - define and control acceptable means of reaching goals, not necessarily efficient, vary from proscribed to prescribed

Cultural Effects

Secondary symbolic reinforcement

Curbing of response extinction

Increasing motive strength in the absence of rewards

Deflection of criticism on to individual for failures

Preservation of class system by producing identification with upper classes

Pressure for conformity through threat of loss of legitimate membership

Anomie results when there is great pressure on goals (universal striving, failure as temporary, withdrawal is discrediting) and institutional means cannot meet expectations

Very good/good chance     63
Some/little chance             35
No chance                            2

2. Do you think most Americans have a fair opportunity to make the most of themselves in life, or does something usually hold them back?

Fair opportunity                 70
Held back                           30

3. In general, compared to your parents at the time you were growing up, do you think that the standard of living you now have is...

Much better than your parents     49
Somewhat better                            30
About the same                              14
Worse/much worse                           8

4. Since your first full-time job have you...

Advanced rapidly in rank/status      10
Made steady advances                     60
Stayed at about the same level        25
Lost some ground                               4

5. Thinking about your future work career, do you expect that over the next 5 - 10 years you will

Advance rapidly                                         31
Make steady advances in rank/status     52
Stay at about the same level                    13
Lose some ground                                      4

6. Personal drive, willingness to take risks is important in attaining wealth

Very important                     64
Somewhat important            31
Not important                         5

7. Hard work and initiative are important in attaining wealth

Very important                     60
Somewhat important            32
Not important                         9

8. Lack of thrift and proper money-management skills are reasons for poverty

Very important                     59
Important                              31
Not important                         9

9. Lack of effort by the poor themselves is a reason for poverty

Very important                     57
Important                              34
Not important                         9

10. Compared to the average person in America, do you think the chance of getting ahead is

Much better/better than average         38
Average                                                 54
Worse/much worse than average           9
 

 Suicide Rate per 100,000

Professional-Managerial                                                             35.4

a. Open up legitimate opportunities

2. Access to unconventional roles

a. Socioeconomic status, age, sex, ethnicity, etc.

3. Environmental supports for criminal substructure

a. Integration of age levels

ABSENCE OF LEGITIMATE AND ILLEGITIMATE SYSTEMS

B,LC,G        48.5

B,LC,G         30.6

B,LC,G        77.2

B,LC,G         54.9

B,LC,G       44.2

B,LC,G       57.8

B,LC,G       75.2

B,LC,G       59.2

B,LC,G        83.0

B,LC,G         2.1

B,LC,G       3.14