Strain Theory

What does Strain mean?

A poor fit, mismatch or tension between the socially approved goals

Strain Theory

Merton's adaptation of Durkheim's concept of anomie (normlessness) to explain crime and deviance. It combines both structural and cultural factors

What is the american dream?

The socially acceptable ideolgy that says as an American, everyone should strive and be able to achieve good (become rich and successful). This is on the basic that society is meritocratic.

Effects of american dream

Intense pressure from society to strive towards this goal, causes pressure to deviate from the norms, causing anomie. Eventually, winning becomes more important that playing by the rules.

Five responses to the American dream

conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion

Conformity

wants to achieve cultural goals by institutionalised means.

Innovation

Wants to achieve cultural goals but not through institutionalised means.

Ritualism

doesn't necessarily want to achieve cultural goals, but still sticks to the institutionalised means of getting them

Retreatism

doesn't want the cultural goals and strays from institutionalised means

Rebellion

rejects both the goals and the means of achieving them, while replaced them with new ones.

Examples of a conformist

a teacher, a lawyer

Examples of innovatists

a drug dealer, a bank robber

example of a ritualist

a traffic warden, a petty bureaucrat

example of a retreatist

a drug abuser, a tramp

example of a rebel

a religious fundamentalist (terrorist bomber), hippies

roles that dont fit into strain theory

paedophile, a joy rider, a vandal

Evaluation of Strain Theory

It assumes there is a value consensus, that everyone strives for money success and ignores the possibility that many may not share this goal.

Counter evaluation

The whole theory is based on the idea that nit everyone shares the same goals, which is an explanation for their crime