CC205 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Critical Race Theory, Human Ecology, Anomie
Document Summary
Why do people turn to crime (strain theory) People were coming from a regimented lifestyle (military) - moved to a new world where there wasn"t a specific role defined for them. There was a gap between what they should be and what the reality. Organized crime was a normal response to pressures exerted on certain persons by the social structure (strain between goals and means) Goals are economic - american preoccupation with economic success - pathological materialism. The goal is priority - the mans to get to the goal are second priority. The only factors limiting goal achievement are technical, not moral or legal. They can"t get what they think they deserve. Some immigrants recognized the cards were stacked against them and as a result. Anomie results when numbers of people are confronted by the contradiction between goals and means. Become estranged from a society that promises them the principles of reality.
