Explaining Criminal Deviance

1
Explaining Criminal Deviance

• Mertons Anomie Theory (Ch. 5)
• Legacy of Durkheim
• Anomie - normlessness
• No regulation on individual desires
• R.K. Mertons Anomie/Strain
• Individual Adaptation to Social Conditions
• Social Condition/Structure composed of two
  elements
• Cultural Goals
• Institutional Means

2
Anomie
Type of Cultural Institutional Adaptation
Goals Means Conformity Innova
tion - Ritualistic - Retreatist -
- Rebellion -/ -/

• Implications
• Structural Distribution of Institutional Means
  is Unequal
• Cultural emphasis on success leaves individual
  aspirations unchecked
• -One of the elements of the bond (regulation) is
  not accomplished
• -This is the result of people being successfully
  attached (or integrated)
• -This truly Anomic a culture that does not
  provide its members with the social elements
  necessary to bond and control their behavior.

3
White Collar Crime

• Varieties of White Collar Crime (Edelhartz 1970)
• Crimes against Government by Public Officials
• bribes, fraud
• Crimes against Government by Private Citizens
• tax fraud, welfare fraud
• Crimes against Businesses
• Embezzlement, theft, computer fraud
• Crimes against Investors
• Selling worthless stock speculating stocks
• Crimes against Consumers
• Selling bad or dangerous products overcharging
  false advertising unnecessary prescriptions/surge
  ries, etc.
• Crimes Against Employees
• Employee health and safety Discriminatory
  hiring/promotion
• Crimes Affecting Public Health
• Industrial pollution

4
Relevant Chapters

• International Organized Crime
• Narcotics as a money-making venture
• Often links to legitimate businesses
• Different from street gangs?
• 32. The Crash of Valuejet Flight 592
• Typical of Sutherlands definition of White
  Collar Crime Corporate Crime
• What is the role of the government (or regulating
  agencies charged with protecting the public)?
• 36. Opportunity and Crime in Medical
  Professions
• Protective Cloak
• Status
• Altruism
• Autonomy
• Types of Crime
• Kickbacks
• Prescription Violations
• Unnecessary Treatment
• Sexual Misconduct
• Medicaid Fraud Abuse