Anomie Theory
Genetics
Genetics is a long disputed possible factor that may be the cause if someone to become a criminal. There are three different studies into the genetic influence in crime, family history, twin studies and adoption studies. Looking at family history a study by Osborn and West 1972 found that fathers that have criminal convictions have a 40% chance that their sons will also attain a criminal record also. However this is not significant evidence that suggests that there is a strong enough genetic link. Socialisation may be a reason as to why the percentage was so high, the son of a father that has a criminal record may be socialised or treated differently to a son with a not-criminal father. Jewkes and Letherby, (2002) Twin studies are …show more content…
Social equilibrium exists when stratifications accrues to people who use the institutionalised means to reach the culturally approved goals. Anomie occurs when there is a gap between the means that a person has and what they are trying to achieve. There is little importance and value placed on the means of gaining success but all importance placed on being successful no matter what. This is how crime becomes the only means to achieving goals. According to Morton there are several different adjustments people are experiencing disjunction between goals and means. Conformity where in spite of disjunction people still maintain faithful to the means and goals. Innovation that embraces the goals but just finds a new more effective way to achieve them. Ritualism where goals are abandoned but means are still followed this is considered as playing it safe. Retreatism this can be explained as drug addicts and alcoholics where both goals and means are abandoned. Finally rebellion is where the means and goals are both replaced by others. There are some criticisms of Merton’s theory of anomie that it is underdeveloped and not complete. The theory also fails to factor in different outcomes, like how some people may conform. It is also considered difficult to account for other kinds of deviant behaviour. Another critic was by Albert Cohen (1965) made apparent that the outline of anomie is individualistic and fails to look at group processes and the part they play in deviant behaviour. Coleman and Norris,
Genetics is a long disputed possible factor that may be the cause if someone to become a criminal. There are three different studies into the genetic influence in crime, family history, twin studies and adoption studies. Looking at family history a study by Osborn and West 1972 found that fathers that have criminal convictions have a 40% chance that their sons will also attain a criminal record also. However this is not significant evidence that suggests that there is a strong enough genetic link. Socialisation may be a reason as to why the percentage was so high, the son of a father that has a criminal record may be socialised or treated differently to a son with a not-criminal father. Jewkes and Letherby, (2002) Twin studies are …show more content…
Social equilibrium exists when stratifications accrues to people who use the institutionalised means to reach the culturally approved goals. Anomie occurs when there is a gap between the means that a person has and what they are trying to achieve. There is little importance and value placed on the means of gaining success but all importance placed on being successful no matter what. This is how crime becomes the only means to achieving goals. According to Morton there are several different adjustments people are experiencing disjunction between goals and means. Conformity where in spite of disjunction people still maintain faithful to the means and goals. Innovation that embraces the goals but just finds a new more effective way to achieve them. Ritualism where goals are abandoned but means are still followed this is considered as playing it safe. Retreatism this can be explained as drug addicts and alcoholics where both goals and means are abandoned. Finally rebellion is where the means and goals are both replaced by others. There are some criticisms of Merton’s theory of anomie that it is underdeveloped and not complete. The theory also fails to factor in different outcomes, like how some people may conform. It is also considered difficult to account for other kinds of deviant behaviour. Another critic was by Albert Cohen (1965) made apparent that the outline of anomie is individualistic and fails to look at group processes and the part they play in deviant behaviour. Coleman and Norris,