Criminal Justice Practice Exam

According to Albert K. Cohen, what is the cause of anomie experienced by juveniles?

1. Their dissociation from the collective conscience

2. The social structure's inability to provide legitimate means of achieving wealth

3. The usual controls over them being largely absent

4. The inability to achieve status among peers by socially acceptable means

The correct answer is: The inability to achieve status among peers by socially acceptable means

Albert K. Cohen's theory focuses on the concept of status frustration, particularly among juveniles who find themselves unable to achieve status through socially accepted means, such as good grades or participation in traditional activities. This inability creates a feeling of anomie, which refers to a sense of normlessness and alienation. When young people experience frustration in their attempts to gain recognition and respect within their peer groups, they may turn to alternative, often deviant behaviors to establish their status. This perspective is rooted in Cohen’s understanding of how societal expectations impact juvenile behavior. When legitimate avenues for gaining social standing are blocked or inadequate, it propels youth into delinquent subcultures where they can redefine success and gain recognition, albeit through means that are not socially acceptable. Therefore, the link between the inability to achieve status and the resulting feelings of anomie is central to Cohen's argument. In contrast, the other options present different aspects of societal influences that may contribute to the juvenile experience but do not specifically pinpoint the direct route of status frustration as the driving force behind anomie in Cohen's theory.