ANOMIE

Concept Of ''Anomie'' & Crime And Deviance

Concept Of ''Anomie'' & Crime And Deviance

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to offer a critique of a criminology theory, specifically anomie and strain theory, characterized by Akers and Sellers (2004) as reflective of the belief that some forms of social disorganization so impact upon individuals that social cohesion, solidarity and integration are insufficient to eliminate crime and deviance. Anomie, also known as strain theory, proposes that social order, stability, and integration are conducive to conformity, while disorder and malintegration are conducive to crime and deviance.

Discussion

Anomie refers to the lack or ineffectiveness of normative regulation in society. The concept was first introduced in sociology by E´ mile Durkheim (1893) in his study on the social dimensions of the division of labor. Contrary to Marx, Durkheim argued that the division of labor is not problematic as long as it is sufficiently regulated.

Among the sociological explanations of deviance is Robert Merton's theory of anomie, which assumes that there is a shared value system that emphasizes success which is embraced by most members of society (Akers & Sellers, 2004). Individual adaptation to this value system and its attendant behavioral norms and expectations takes one of five forms: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

Rebellion and certain types of retreatism and/or innovation all present potentially criminal modes of adaptation. Anomie theory assumed, says Merton, that higher crime rates will prevail among lower socioeconomic groups where the institutionalized means for achieving cultural goals are not available. Recently, research suggests that the failure of anomie theory to account for gender differentials in criminal and delinquent behavior makes this sociological explanation of crime inadequate.

Durkheim saw such anomic forms present during periods of industrial crises, in the conflict between labor and capital, and in the lack of unity and excessive degree of specialization in ...