SOCY 1004 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Positivism, Empiricism, Anomie
Document Summary
Goode: explaining deviant behavior: discuss the three assumptions of positivism (empiricism, objectivism, determinism). Empiricism: positivism assumes the material world is real and that the scientist can know the world through the five senses. Objectivism: phenomena in the material world are objectively real and possess certain objective or internally consistent characteristics that distinguish them therefore many forms of deviance share a common thread of differentiating trait. Determinism: analyzes what causes deviant behavior (cause and effect fashion: how is robert k. merton"s anomie theory of deviance different from emile. Durkeim: crime is necessary; it serves a function in society. Although it is not preferable, with the progression and evolution of modernity and emphasis on monetary success, crime is inevitable because a perfectly stable, uniform, and able society is impossible. Merton: society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (such as the american dream) though they lack the means, this leads to strain which may lead the individuals to commit crimes.
