Learning Objectives

6.1 State the basic premise of the social structural tradition.

6.2 Explain the assumptions of human ecology theory, its major finding, and its criticisms.

6.3 Describe the evolution of the anomie tradition and how the various versions differ.

6.4 Discuss the basic ideas of subcultural theories—how they form and how the status concerns of young males are met in those subcultures.

6.5 Explain why gangs are formed, what their function is, and how they relate to social structure.

6.6 Evaluate the impact of anomie/strain tradition on criminology.

6.7 Debate the policy and prevention implications of social structural theories.