strain theory

Theorist

Merton

Link to criminal behaviour

Crime is a response to pressure people experience when society promotes material success as a universal goal but not eveyone has equal access to the legitimate means of achieving it

What is the strain theory

Not everyone has equal acess to legitimate means which creates pressure to use illegitimate ones

Legitimate means

Socially approved legal ways of achieving success like employment and education

Material success

Gaining wealth, possessions, and financial achievement. This is often the main societal goal but means to achieve it are not equally available

Strain

The tension or frustration that arises when individuals cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means

Innovators

People who accept goals but use illegitimate means to achieve them

Anomie

A state of normlessness or disconnection with societal norms and values

Retreatists

People reject both goals and means

Case examples

The London riots and county lines

London riots

Many rioters came from economically deprived areas and looted shops suggesting a desire for material goods they could not afford legally

County lines

Young people from disadvantaged communities often become involved in county lines drug operations or drug activity. Created by poor access to legitimate means and pressure to gain respect and money becoming innovators

Strengths

Links crime to social structure - clearly shows how societal pressures like inequality and lack of legitimate opportunities can push individuals towards crime

Explains different types of crime - accounts for various adaptations to strain like conformity innovation and retreatism which helps explain a range of criminal and deviant behaviours

Case examples like London riots and county lines

Limitations

Ignores crime by the powerful - explains crime mostly in lower socioeconomic groups so doesn’t adress white collar crimes who have legitimate means but still break the law

Assumes shared cultural goals - assumes everyone aspires to the same cultural goals like wealth but in reality they vary across groups

Doesn’t fully explain why not eveyone commits crime - even when faced with strain and blocked opportunities many people don’t turn to crime