Strain Theory of Criminology

Human nature

All people are trying to conform; all people will be law-abiding left to their own devices

Social Order

Imbalances in society lead some people to experience "strain"

Social Structure

Norms and values tell us what we want and how to get it

What pushes people to engage in criminal behavior according to strain theory

Living with and adapting to strain

Strain theories focus on

How structural characteristics influence individual behavior

Social theory & Social Structure (1938) was built on

Durkheim

Anomie is the product of

social culture & social structure

Social structure

Organized set of relationships where members of society play out social roles, which then determines opportunities

What concept did Merton highlight in strain?

the American Dream

What is anomie?

A state wherein society fails to exercise adequate regulation of the goals and desires of individual members.

What does anomie indicate about societal regulation?

It indicates a failure of society to regulate the goals and desires of its members.

When goals are over emphasized

people must adopt their means

a functional society must emphasize

the means

In America society there is a disjunction between

the goals & the means

What are the 5 elements in Mertons theory

Conformists, Innovator, Ritualist, Retreastist, & Rebel

Conformists

Accepts goals & means to get them

Innovator

Accepts goals but rejects means

Innovators use

illegitimate means to achieve the american dream

Example of conformist

Strive to obtain American Dream through education and successful Employment

Ritualist

Accepts means but reject the goals

Example of ritualist

We'll go to school and get a job, but accepts that they will never advance to a higher social class

Retreatists

Rejects goals and means

examples of retreatists

Social Dropouts - Alcoholics, drug addicts, mentally ill

Rebel

Socialize to means and ends but decided system needs to be fixed so works against it

Rebels create

their own means & goals

Examples of rebels

gangs

What is a criticism of Merton's theory regarding its focus?

It focuses solely on the American Dream, particularly monetary success.

What does Merton's theory suggest about crime and strain?

More people should commit crimes if crime is a result of strain.

What is a criticism of early theories related to shared values?

Shared values myth

What is a criticism of early theories regarding empirical support?

Lacked empirical support

What is a criticism of early theories related to measures of strain?

Poor measures of strain

What is a criticism of early theories regarding their scope?

Limited scope

What is a criticism of early theories related to determinism?

Deterministic and static

What is a criticism of early theories regarding gender?

Ignore females