MTV's Catfish: The TV Show

1197 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Anomie and strain theory essay

In the new generation people are more into using social media has a way to interact with others more than ever. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook , and Myspace has become the new norm into networking, making friends, finding possibly a match and making a love connection. These social medias allow people to create profiles in which they can alter their information. This results in many incident where people are not who they said they are. For that reason people become catfish. The MTV show Catfish bring viewers into the world of online- dating and the result it may have. Being catfish can bring a wide variety of attention that can be discuss has to whether or not it can be considered a crime Two theories that that can explain the rise of the catfish phenomenon are the anomie/ strain theory and the labeling theory. The strain theory and the labeling theory can both be used to describe the widespread act of catfishing. Although one provides a better explanation to the act of catfishing someone and a better plan for preventing it. Robert K. Merton established the stain theory from Emile Durkheim anomie theory. Merton felt as though the individuals in society wanted to become successful yet there was an obstacle that prevented them to reach that goal that society feels that people should obtain. He also felt that success was the driving force in society. However, many find it impossible to gain success. Nonetheless the prevention that leads the procurement of the goal in which leads a person to feel a sense of burden into finding other ways to purse that goal that society upholds an individual to have. This results in the variance of the societal goals and the proper means to accomplish it being anomie. In spite of that, society... ... middle of paper ... ...e treated in a similar way of identity theft. Identity theft is a serious crime in which someone steals your personal information and pretends to be you to obtain resources that were not easily obtainable when they were themselves. Catfish is relatable to that crime because someone who catfish a person pretends to be someone they are not. Innocent people who feel as though they are talking to someone real and then find out that it not who they have been talking to all along. Therefore feel as though they have been deceived. The person who identity has been stolen through someone trying to catfish another person may go through the same obstacle as someone who’s been a victim of identity theft. The individual would have to go through the internet seeing fake profile and online pictures and trying to convince others that those profiles are fake and not really them.

Show More
Related

  • Causation of Crime

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    Robert Merton created his strain/anomie theory with a large influence from Emile Durkheim’s anomie theory. Durkheim stated that anomie is the “normlessness or deregulation” of society. One of Durkheim’s major points that Merton focused his theory on is “Western society placed a great emphasis on ‘achieving industrial prosperity’ without corresponding attention to restraining people’s appetites for success.” (Lilly, Cullen, & Ball, p. 65)

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Merton And Erving Goffman

    1897 Words  | 4 Pages

    Merton valued a positivistic cumulative science and believed that social science should build upon previous research. He believed that sociological theory should specify the relationships between variables. Having specific and testable classifications was important for Merton (Lecture 2: Functionalism-Merton). These values led Merton to develop what he called theories of the middle range. Merton defines these as theories that lie between day to day hypothesis and the all-inclusive systematic efforts to develop a unified theory that will explain all the observed uniformities of social behavior, social organization, and social change (ibid).

    Read More

  • Anomie Theory

    1400 Words  | 3 Pages

    The social strain theory also known as Anomie theory was developed by Robert K. Merton, who stated that social structures mainly influence individuals to commit crimes. Anomie is a state of dissatisfaction illustrated by the possible discrepancies between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve these goals ( Thompson 148). Merton proposal was based on a person 's motivations to cultural goal, and a person 's belief in how to attain his goals. Merton observed that many internalize the culturally approved goal of “getting ahead” which means high social status and money. For example, in the film Lil’Ze is constantly seeking power and money throughout the film. He strives to be the most powerful criminal seeking wealth and fame. He becomes frustrated with his low-status and lack of opportunity and seeks another a way of poverty. Carrot, another character in the film is known to of obtained this goal of wealth and status in the City of God. Carrot is a drug dealer with nice clothes, jewelry and car. Lil’ Ze and Benny idealized his lifestyle and discuss how they start to deal drugs to achieve their goals. Merton discusses that some people , particularly those disadvantaged lower class unhappily realize that they will not be able to achieve those idealized goals through legitimate means. As a result, the resort to illegitimate means to reach

    Read More

  • The Strain Theory of Understanding Juvenile Delinquency

    1891 Words  | 4 Pages

    Merton’s strain or anomie theory is important for a number of reasons: the significance of culture and social structure; the acknowledgment of responsive attachments of individuals to standards and values of society; the idea that definite societal characteristics can result in a set of different categorical responses.

    Read More

  • Merton's Anomie Theory Analysis

    846 Words  | 2 Pages

    Robert K. Merton is a widely respected sociologist who has offered much insight in the field of criminology. In efforts to understand why the U.S has disproportionate levels of crime in comparison to similar countries Merton retouched Emile Durkheim’s form of Anomie theory (Lecture, 2016). Merton’s theory is grounded in the belief that the norms of society and their culturally defined goals (for example: The American Dream) place great pressure (or Strain) on individuals to either conform with the socially accepted behavior to attain those goals, or in its place become a player in a nonstandard subculture in attempts to achieve the same underlying goals of society (Cullen, Ch.13). With this, Merton’s Anomie theory was a macro-level approach

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Agnew And Merton

    612 Words  | 2 Pages

    Both theories by Merton and Agnew are similar because their focus is that social situations and conflicts an individual’s comes in contact within his/her life, may produce crime by emphasizing the a goal of success, much more than the means to achieve it. With Merton’s theory he adopted Durkheim’s concept of anomie to explain deviance. Merton’s theory combined both structural and cultural factors. Merton insists that society promotes goals for their citizens and norms for other’s behavior in attempting to reach these goals. In Merton’s theory people do crime when they are unable to reach or accomplish goals. Merton’s theory also explains how an individual’s social structure prevents an individual from becoming economically fortunate. His theory of modern anomie and strain express that individuals respond to strain in 5 individual ways. Those five ways are conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. On the other hand Agnew general strain theory, feels strain comes from sources other than economic failure. Agnew general strain theory focuses on a few other types of strain and stress. Like the presentation of a negative stimuli, and the loss of a positive stimuli. Agnew feels that this sort of strain leads to a negative state of mind. The emotions like angry, frustration and fear, lead to crime and criminal behavior. One

    Read More

  • Positivism And Anomie-Strain Theory

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    Positivists focus on the causes of deviance and seek ways to detect it before any deviant behaviors occurs and possibly stop them. In their search for causes of deviant behavior, positivists focus primarily on biological and psychological factors. One of the leading theories supporting Positivism is the Anomie-Strain theory. Anomie-Strain theory is a theory by Robert Merton that focuses on finding the causes of deviant behavior. It states that people commit deviant behaviors when they are strained into “anomie”. Anomie is a term coined by Merton that refers to the absence of social norm held in place by society, which he says is the failure of society to control its members. Merton states that when a person is in “anomie’, they are more likely to engage in deviant behavior as they no long have any moral compass because the norms of society are no longer in place. According to Merton, the primary way people fall into anomie occurs because of the goal-means gap. The goal-means gap is the idea that the goals a person sets for themselves are unattainable due to the lack of a means to achieve them. Merton says that society encourages individuals to engage in deviant activates in order to achieve their goals. Using Merton’s ideas as a spring board, Albert Cohen proposed his own Anomie-Strain theory. Cohen says in his theory that people descend into anomie because of ‘status frustration’. Status frustration is the feeling that a person feels when they cannot achieve their goals through legitimate means due to lack of opportunity provided to them because of the goal-means

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Social Media Essay

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to the statistics, “One in five U.S. teenagers who regularly log on to the Internet says they have received an unwanted sexual solicitation via the Web. Solicitations were defined as requests to engage in sexual activities or sexual talk, or to give out personal sexual information. (Only 25% of those told a parent).” Online predators have the opportunity to talk freely and direct to someone on social media than in person. Imagine being a parent in this situation, who would not want an online predator coming for their child. This can cause fear on a child for many years. Social media can be a disgusting world for the youth of today.

    Read More

  • Strain Theories of Criminal Behaviour

    2001 Words  | 5 Pages

    Featherstone, R., & Deflem, M. (2003). Anomie and strain: Context and consequences of Merton’s two theories. Sociological Inquiry, 73(4), 471-489.

    Read More

  • Negative Aspects of Online Dating

    1327 Words  | 3 Pages

    With technology advances steadily in today’s society, individuals steadily advance too. One of these aspects includes dating. Individuals in today’s society hope to find companionship through online dating websites so that someday some online daters might be able to find a companion. With websites like eHarmony, Match, Christian Mingle, OkCupid, Black People Meet, and JDate, finding the one seems to be easier and more convenient than ever. Most of these websites even display statistics showing that one out of five relationships start online. The questions that should be asked, is this a better and safer option than looking for the one in person? Individuals tend to ignore the possible risks involving online dating. They are willing to release personal information from pictures of oneself, to locations of where they work, or live just for the possibility of finding a companion. The online users have to ask themselves: is the risk worth it in the end, or does the benefit outweighs the cost? When searching for a companionship through online dating websites, negative aspects such as profiles, self-presentation, self-disclosure, predators and sexual mishaps, may outweigh the positive aspects and cause more problems and strife then actual good.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Importance Of Social Media

    888 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social Networking sites play an essential role in today’s culture as they provide people with the ability to interact, blog, share pictures and videos, flirt, and date without having to move an inch. People pour their minds and hearts into the world of cyber communication; it is an easier way for them to clear their heads without having a face-to-face confrontation. Undoubtedly, this is advantageous to certain people. It helps establish connections with people, friends and family from any corner of the world, but one cannot ignore the extensive privacy breach that occurs in the universe of online social media.

    Read More

  • How Technology Impacts Our Privacy

    891 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first aspect being addressed is the problem with social network sites exposing information. Social networking has created an environment where it is nearly a duty to expose oneself. Profiles on these social websites are updated everyday with personal information such as locations, status, and future plans. Anyone can search another’s name and find information about their history, pictures, and activity. With the help of social networking sites...

    Read More

  • Research on Online Dating and Relationship

    1593 Words  | 4 Pages

    From a report of Dating Safety and Victimization in Traditional and Online Relationship, Koeppel, Smith and Bouffard concluded that with the use of Internet helps increasing online dating and they use it to broaden their social circles and find their partner. People are more willing to accept online dating but their attitude towards online dating is still negative because of the negative impacts (6).

    Read More

  • The Dangers of Online Dating

    1619 Words  | 4 Pages

    The human need for affiliation creates the challenges and rewards of finding acquaintances, forming close friendships, as well as intimate relationships. Through technological advances cyberspace, or the internet, has become a place of multiple opportunities for people to be able to fulfill that need for affiliation. Websites, chat rooms, and online communities are just some examples of virtual platforms for people to seek others, come together, and find that special someone. These opportunities can result in positive outcomes allowing people to achieve what or whom they were seeking, but they can also result in harm to themselves and others, resulting with damaging consequences. Cyberspace does not come with a warning label. People who use the internet as a means to seek relationships are at risk of being exposed to positive as well as negative results. Being made aware of some of those risks and dangers, and realizing that forming relationships on the internet is not all fun and games, may be ways to help promote a positive future for cyberspace as a place to form successful relationships.

    Read More

  • Social Media And Identity Essay

    991 Words  | 2 Pages

    The television series of this show “Catfish” shows us that there are many individuals out there like Angela, who create completely fabricated identities, for many different reasons. Whether it is malicious or a release for the person; It is an escape from reality in most cases. This alerts us to the dangers of social media, and makes us wary of meeting new people online, as all may not be what it seems.

    Read More

More about MTV's Catfish: The TV Show

Open Document