๏ critiques of theories or ideas
Essay Questions — Final Exam
Prison Riots
Topic 1: Write a brief essay explaining each of the following theories of prison riots:
(a) the powder keg theory (b) anomie theory (Merton) (c) anomie theory (Durkheim)
(a) Powder Keg Theory
theory: prisons are thought of as an explosive type of institution and any kind of spark can lead to an
explosion (prison riot)
• they are an explosive institute because you have people with low impulse control, anger management
problems, and deviant attitudes/values and this is combined with oppressive conditions to create a
violate mixture
๏ over predicts the number of riots that should occur — should be happening on a regular basis
๏ prison conditions have improved considerably but the number of prison riots has also increased
(b) Merton’s Anomie Theory
theory: disconnect b/n the socially approved goals and the socially approved means; there’s a greater
emphasis on the goals so people tend to use the most efficient means to meet those goals and the most
efficient means can quite frequently be deviant or illegal
• inmates create list of demands (goals) and negotiate with hostages
• legitimate means to achieve these goals are blocked, b/c they have no power in prison, so they riot
๏ demands tend to be created after the riot occurs
(c) Durkheim’s Anomie Theory
theory: when people have unfulfilled aspirations their will to live diminishes
• change is a key variable — 2 types:
A. changes happen so the inmates’ aspirations inflate and they begin to desire or expect certain
things or goals that are unattainable
B. inmates have certain privileges that they are used to and administration may clamp down or
remove some of them if some inmates are bad
Topic 2: Discuss (a) Why are prison guards seldom injured during prison riots? Why do inmates intervene
to prevent guards from being attacked by other inmates? (b) What types of inmates are considered
undesirables and why are they hated and attacked during prison riots? Why do other inmates or other
prison administration fail to intervene to protect undesirables during prison riots?
(a) Prison Guards
• 5 hypotheses as to why guards aren’t injured:
I. Moral Prohibitions
• very little cultural justification for killing guards
• cultural values protect them
1
Essay Questions — Final Exam
Prison Riots
Topic 1: Write a brief essay explaining each of the following theories of prison riots:
(a) the powder keg theory (b) anomie theory (Merton) (c) anomie theory (Durkheim)
(a) Powder Keg Theory
theory: prisons are thought of as an explosive type of institution and any kind of spark can lead to an
explosion (prison riot)
• they are an explosive institute because you have people with low impulse control, anger management
problems, and deviant attitudes/values and this is combined with oppressive conditions to create a
violate mixture
๏ over predicts the number of riots that should occur — should be happening on a regular basis
๏ prison conditions have improved considerably but the number of prison riots has also increased
(b) Merton’s Anomie Theory
theory: disconnect b/n the socially approved goals and the socially approved means; there’s a greater
emphasis on the goals so people tend to use the most efficient means to meet those goals and the most
efficient means can quite frequently be deviant or illegal
• inmates create list of demands (goals) and negotiate with hostages
• legitimate means to achieve these goals are blocked, b/c they have no power in prison, so they riot
๏ demands tend to be created after the riot occurs
(c) Durkheim’s Anomie Theory
theory: when people have unfulfilled aspirations their will to live diminishes
• change is a key variable — 2 types:
A. changes happen so the inmates’ aspirations inflate and they begin to desire or expect certain
things or goals that are unattainable
B. inmates have certain privileges that they are used to and administration may clamp down or
remove some of them if some inmates are bad
Topic 2: Discuss (a) Why are prison guards seldom injured during prison riots? Why do inmates intervene
to prevent guards from being attacked by other inmates? (b) What types of inmates are considered
undesirables and why are they hated and attacked during prison riots? Why do other inmates or other
prison administration fail to intervene to protect undesirables during prison riots?
(a) Prison Guards
• 5 hypotheses as to why guards aren’t injured:
I. Moral Prohibitions
• very little cultural justification for killing guards
• cultural values protect them
1
