Anomie, powerlessness, and exchange

Parallel sources of deviance

Bibliographic Data

ID2152273
AuthorsAllie G Funk (Appalachian State University), G Michael Wise (Appalachian State University)
Year1989
Volume10
Issue1
Pages53-60
Publication date1989-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639625.1989.9967800
OpenAlexW2081348550
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited13

Structural functionalists have long explained deviance as a function of anomie. Many researchers have found a connection between anomie and a sense of powerlessness. Conflict theorists often attribute deviance to the oppression of the powerless. In this paper we will use exchange theory to show the process by which powerlessness is related to anomie and results in deviance. Powerless people, lacking the authority to define their ascribed characteristics, investments and costs as valuable, experience distributive injustice when they lack means to goals or find that their costs and investments do not yield rewards or profits. This diminishes their commitment to the legitimacy of the unjust systems' norms (i.e., anomie) and leads to refusal to submit to the normative system. Their attempts to regain control of their lives' outcomes by use of Peter Blau's four alternatives to submission will be labeled deviance by authorities

Anomie · Conceptualization · Criminology · Deviance (statistics · Economics · Injustice · Normative · Political science · Positive economics · Sociology · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Crime, Illicit Activities, and Governance · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology

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