Criminology - U2 - Merton's Strain Theory

Merton's Strain Theory

Merton (1938) argued that Americans were socialised to believe in the American Dream, where success and material wealth were seen as universal goals. However, unequal access to these goals created strain, leading to crime.

The American Dream

A belief in the U.S. that anyone can achieve success and wealth through hard work. Merton argued it was a common social goal, but not everyone had equal access to the means to achieve it.

Strain Theory

Crime occurs when individuals are unable to achieve socially accepted goals, like wealth, through legitimate means, leading them to adapt in ways that might include criminal behaviour.

Conformity

One of Merton's adaptations to strain, where individuals accept both the goals and the means of achieving them, continuing to work hard despite obstacles.

Innovation

An adaptation to strain where individuals still desire success but reject the socially acceptable means of achieving it, often leading to criminal behaviour like fraud or robbery.

Retreatism

An adaptation where individuals reject both societal goals and the accepted means of achieving them, often leading to behaviours like drug use and other forms of social withdrawal.

Rebellion

An adaptation where individuals reject both the societal goals and means, seeking to replace them with new ones. This could result in illegal protests or political violence.

Ritualism

An adaptation where individuals abandon the societal goals of success but rigidly adhere to the prescribed means, such as working hard at a job without expecting any reward. This can lead to conformity, but without the ambition for success.

Social Goals

The desired outcomes that society encourages its members to achieve, such as material wealth and success. According to Merton, these goals are part of the "American Dream."

Legitimate Means

The socially approved methods of achieving success, such as education, hard work, and career advancement. Merton argued that unequal access to these means leads to strain and possible criminal behaviour.

Anomie

A state of normlessness or breakdown in societal norms. Merton suggested that anomie occurs when people are unable to achieve socially prescribed goals due to a disconnect between goals and means.

Meritocracy

The belief that success is based on individual merit, hard work, and talent. Merton highlighted how this belief is often unrealistic, as not everyone has equal access to the resources needed to succeed.

Differential Opportunity Theory

An extension of Merton's work by Cloward and Ohlin, which suggests that people adapt to strain based on the opportunities available to them. Criminal subcultures emerge when legitimate opportunities are blocked.

Lower-Class Subculture

A concept in Merton's theory which suggests that individuals in lower socio-economic groups may have limited access to legitimate means of achieving success and may form subcultures where deviant behaviours become normalised.

Blocked Opportunities

A term used by Merton to explain how certain individuals or groups may be excluded from achieving success through legitimate means due to factors like class, race, or geography, increasing the likelihood of criminal behaviour.

Root Cause of Crime in Society's Inequality

Merton argued that crime stems from the unequal structure of society. Both the U.S. and UK value wealth as a goal, but not everyone has equal access to the means to achieve it.

Strain from Inequality

Merton suggested that blocked opportunities, caused by inequality, create strain. People who cannot achieve success through legitimate means may resort to deviance or crime to fulfil their goals.

Social Control Theory (Hirschi)

A theory that explains why people conform to society's rules based on the strength of their bonds to family, school, and other social institutions. A breakdown in these bonds can increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour.

Role of Media in Merton's Theory

Merton's theory suggested that mass media plays a role in promoting the idea of the American Dream, reinforcing societal goals, and potentially increasing strain by presenting an unrealistic view of success.

Cultural Strain

The tension that arises when an individual's cultural values conflict with the means available to them to achieve societal goals. This strain can lead to alternative forms of behaviour, including criminal activity.

Structural Strain

Strain that arises from societal structures, such as inequality and discrimination, which limit individuals' access to legitimate means of achieving cultural goals, leading to crime.

Institutional Anomie Theory (Messner and Rosenfeld)

A theory building on Merton's work, suggesting that crime in American society is driven by the overemphasis on success and material wealth, often at the expense of social institutions like family and education.