Strain Theory and Crime Metropolitan State University Allison Schaber Abstract Strain theory focuses primarily on socially defined goals and the permissible modes to achieve the goals. The theory attributes delinquency and crime as a response to the pressure of social instability created when there is difficulty attaining the goal or the goal becomes an end in itself. The early development of strain theory examined the social structure at a macro-level and related anomie while later
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period in history reflected the principles of functionalist theory‚ which believed that each part of society served a place and contributed to the stability of society as a whole. The post WWII generation was predisposed to resonate with the theories of Robert K Merton‚ a sociologist who emphasized middle range theory‚ criticized grand theorists in sociology‚ and exemplified functionalist theory. The “organic” metaphor in functionalist theory looked at society as a giant organism that could be understood
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Middle-range theory‚ developed by Robert K. Merton‚ is an approach to sociological theorizing aimed at integrating theory and empirical research. It is currently the de facto dominant approach to sociological theory construction‚[1] especially in the United States. Middle-range theory starts with an empirical phenomenon (as opposed to a broad abstract entity like the social system) and abstracts from it to create general statements that can be verified by data.[2] This approach stands in contrast
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Structural Functionalism (Herbert Spencer) is a sociological theory that attempts to explain why society functions the way it does by focusing on the relationships between the various social institutions that make up society (e.g.‚ government‚ law‚ education‚ religion‚ etc) Structural Functionalism is a theoretical understanding of society that posits social systems are collective means to fill social needs. In order for social life to survive and develop in society there are a number of activities
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MM with capital structure In 1958‚ Modigliani and Merton Miller in their classical paper “The Cost of Capital‚ Corporation Finance and the Theory of Investment”‚ talked something about capital structure as follow: Consider any company j and let Xj stand as before for the expected return on the assets owned by the company (that is‚ its expected profit before deduction of interest). Denote by Di the market value of the debts of the company; by Sj the market value of its common shares; and by V j
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deviance. Merton (1938) believes that When socially accepted goals or societal norms such as “The American Dream” puts the burden on the individuals to fit in. Thus‚ intensifies the individuals to either blend in the structure the society has to offer or else become an associate of deviance subculture in the endeavor to attain these goals. Merton termed this theory as Strain theories. These theories are amid the first candidly sociological explanation of the sources of deviant behavior. The theory seeks
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Section A Briefly outline and highlight the contribution of Merton’s strain theory to criminology. Robert K. Merton was an American sociologist that wrote in the 1930’s putting out his first major work in 1938 called Social Structure and Anomie. After publication‚ this piece was we worked and tweaked to counter criticisms. The importance of the time frame of which Merton initially began his work is significant‚ as during this time crime and the approach to crime was examined predominantly based
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Theory X‚ Theory Y by Douglas McGregor is a motivation theory. Douglas McGregor is a social psychologist and applied two sets of assumptions to the organizational structure called Theory X and Theory Y. His theory is based on managerial views of human beings. In his book‚ The Human Side of Enterprise‚ he outlined a new role for managers. He stated that managers should assist subordinates in reaching their full potential‚ rather than commanding and controlling. Theory X is negative and Theory Y can
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Philosophy Ego Theory and Bundle Theory Derek Parfit’s views on personal identity and the Ego and Bundle Theory are all summarized in his article “Divided Minds and the Nature of Persons”. In his article‚ Parfit explains the distinction between Ego theory and Bundle theory and provides several arguments against Ego Theory. Although it proves to be very difficult to believe the Bundle Theory‚ Parfit’s critique is convincing and well thought out. In order to defend the Bundle Theory of personal identity
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1. What is a scientific theory? Please cite a definition you like. As Watson stated in "The Value of Theories"‚ a scientific theory is a systematic explanation that unifies various observed phenomena and facts. Based on observations we make‚ science operates under theories which are constantly revised and checked by experiment. A scientific theory also possesses many vital qualities for true understanding. 2. What is the difference between a scientific theory and common sense ideas about the same
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