A Durkheimian Analysis of Anomie and Deviant Behavior Among National Football League Players
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FAILING AT SUCCESS: A DURKHEIMIAN ANALYSIS OF ANOMIE AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AMONG NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS by ERIC MICHAEL CARTER B.A., Carson Newman College, 1999 M.A., Marshall University, 2001 AN ABSTRACT OF A DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2006 ABSTRACT This exploratory research project has utilized a mixed-method (Seiber 1973; Creswell 1994, 2005; Jick 1979; Dexter 1970) approach to examine why some NFL players participate in deviant, and sometimes law breaking, behavior and others do not. Using Dexter’s (1970) qualitative technique of elite and specialized interviewing along with Schatzman’s and Strauss’s (1973) naturalistic field method, access was gained into an exclusive group of current and former NFL players. The qualitative findings in conjunction with Durkheimian theory provided the conceptualization of a quantitative instrument. Through a nonprobability snowball sample (Babbie 1986; Berg 2001), 104 NFL players were interviewed. A series of quantitative analyses were run to describe and assess relationships within this study group. In essence, this study has entailed a series of steps that could be represented as a cumulative progression. From the qualitative data, the three core themes that emerged were (1) deviance, (2) anomie, and (3) social ties. Within the study group, a substantial number of players had prior experience with deviant and illegal behaviors. Many reported problems coping upon entering the NFL and sought to find personal fulfillment and happiness despite wealth and fame. It appeared that some level of anomie was present in a number of these players’ lives. However, players that had strong ties to various social groups appeared less likely to succumb to anomie and deviance. Supporting the qualitative data, the quantitative findings revealed that anomie was one of the significant predictors of law breaking players. It would therefore appear reasonable to suggest that some of the players were involved in behaviors that could be labeled anomic deviance. Furthermore, the findings supported the primacy of social ties/support in combating anomie and deviance in the lives of NFL players in the study group. FAILING AT SUCCESS: A DURKHEIMIAN ANALYSIS OF ANOMIE AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AMONG NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS by ERIC MICHAEL CARTER B.A., Carson Newman College, 1999 M.A., Marshall University, 2001 A DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2006 Approved by: ________________________ Major Professor Dr. Robert Schaeffer COPYRIGHT FAILING AT SUCCESS: A DURKHEIMIAN ANALYSIS OF ANOMIE AND DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AMONG NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLAYERS ERIC MICHAEL CARTER 2006 ABSTRACT This exploratory research project has utilized a mixed-method (Seiber 1973; Creswell 1994, 2005; Jick 1979; Dexter 1970) approach to examine why some NFL players participate in deviant, and sometimes law breaking, behavior and others do not. Using Dexter’s (1970) qualitative technique of elite and specialized interviewing along with Schatzman’s and Strauss’s (1973) naturalistic field method, access was gained into an exclusive group of current and former NFL players. The qualitative findings in conjunction with Durkheimian theory provided the conceptualization of a quantitative instrument. Through a nonprobability snowball sample (Babbie 1986; Berg 2001), 104 NFL players were interviewed. A series of quantitative analyses were run to describe and assess relationships within this study group. In essence, this study has entailed a series of steps that could be represented as a cumulative progression. From the qualitative data, the three core themes that emerged were (1) deviance, (2) anomie, and (3) social ties. Within the study group, a substantial number of players had prior experience with deviant and illegal behaviors. Many reported problems coping upon entering the NFL and sought to find personal fulfillment and happiness despite wealth and fame. It appeared that some level of anomie was present in a number of these players’ lives. However, players that had strong ties to various social groups appeared less likely to succumb to anomie and deviance. Supporting the qualitative data, the quantitative findings revealed that anomie was one of the significant predictors of law breaking players. It would therefore appear reasonable to suggest that some of the players were involved in behaviors that could be labeled anomic deviance. Furthermore, the findings supported the primacy of social ties/support in combating anomie and deviance in the lives of NFL players in the study group. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures.................................................................................................................. xiii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... xiv List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... xvi Acknowledgments........................................................................................................... xvii Dedication........................................................................................................................ xix Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM .................................................................1 Importance/Significance of the Study..................................................................................2 Objectives and Scope of the Study ......................................................................................5 Chapter 2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ......................................................................7 Deviance Theories Based on Cultural/Subcultural Learning Theories................................9 Subcultural Theory.................................................................................................10 Differential Association Theory ............................................................................10 Strain Theory .........................................................................................................11 Incompatability of Subcultural and Learning Theories With Durkheim’s Conception of Anomie...............................................................................................................................12 Deviance Theories Based on Social Disorganization ........................................................13 Anomie Theory ......................................................................................................14 Social Control Theory............................................................................................14 Social Support Theory ...........................................................................................16 Overview of Anomie..........................................................................................................17 Anomie: The Concept........................................................................................................18 viii Durkheim’s Conception of Anomie...................................................................................19 Forms of Anomie ...................................................................................................25 Chronic Anomie.....................................................................................................26 Chronic Anomic Currents in the National Football League (NFL).......... 27 Acute Anomie ............................................................................................28 Acute Anomic Currents in the NFL...........................................................31 Durkheim to Srole: The Social Psychological Level of Anomie.......................................33 Summary of Theoretical Understandings ..........................................................................35 Chapter 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND QUALITATIVE FINDINGS.............37 Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods ..................................................................38 Qualitative Analyses and Findings ....................................................................................41 Step One: Early Conceptualization of the Study and Entrée .............................................41 Step Two: Access to Additional NFL Players ...................................................................43 Step Three: Organizing and Analyzing Data.....................................................................47 Deviance Theme ....................................................................................................50 Ideal-Typical Deviance..............................................................................59 Anomie Theme (Rapid Change) ........................................................................... 61 Ideal-Typical Anomie ................................................................................66 Social Ties/Support Theme....................................................................................68 Elements of Social Support........................................................................79 Families..........................................................................................80