I\'m struggling with these last 2 questions, they have to do with the documentar
ID: 3485438 • Letter: I
Question
I'm struggling with these last 2 questions, they have to do with the documentary http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/the_corporation it's long but it's basically about how how evil corporations are and how they will do anything to make a buck. On question 8 it references our readings, this chapter we are studying deviance.and non-conformist behavior.
8) Based on the readings, what type of organization would most corporations be? Please explain your reason and define terms when applicable 9) Which theory of deviance (not perspective but specific theory) best applies to the issue of corporate deviance? Explain the theory and why you believe it applies.Explanation / Answer
Firstly, you have mentioned the name of the chapter in a book and not the name or ISBN number of the book. The answer to question 8 is completely based on the axiom of deviance and what psychologists and sociologist have established so far. I cannot pinpoint nuances and particulars of the book without knowing much about it.
The documentary basically illustrates the existing social theories. If you need me to revise any part of the answer, please type the ISBN number of the book in the comment.
Therefore, the differential association suggests that since these large multinational corporations operate in an environment of oligopoly, they succumb to the pressure in order to stay on top and then indulge in deviant behaviour.
(Answer) According to Robert K. Merton, one can determine the type of deviance based on a measurement of innovation, conformity, retreatism, rebellion, and ritualism. Merton proposed the ‘Social strain theory’ in the year 1938. He observed that society puts pressures and expectations on people and organizations without really giving them the means to achieve what is expected of them. For instance, society expects a qualified person to have a college degree but doesn’t really offer assistance on how to pay for it. Similarly, with the pressure on the big corporation to maintain their standing in the market, they need to adopt certain means to live up to people’s expectations.
Corporations indulge in activities of questionable legality in order to maintain a certain image or positive revenues. These are the standards set by the society, stakeholders, the markets etc.
Characteristics
Culture Goals
Institutionalized Means of Achieving Goals
Innovation
Reject
Accept
Conformity
Accept
Reject
Retreatism
Reject
Reject
Rebellion
Reject
Accept
Ritualism
Accept
Reject
The above table (based on Merton’s social strain typology) helps determine what the culture goals are (society’s expectation from organizations) and what the Institutionalized means (what the organizations are willing to do in order to achieve these goals.)
The above table is an indicator that society makes demands but isn’t always on the same page with a large corporation on how to actually achieve those goals.
Characteristics
Culture Goals
Institutionalized Means of Achieving Goals
Innovation
Reject
Accept
Conformity
Accept
Reject
Retreatism
Reject
Reject
Rebellion
Reject
Accept
Ritualism
Accept
Reject