Part 8 - Anomie theory by R. Merton

Anomie theory (Merton) general assumptions

Social pressure lead individuals to commit crimes.

Society dictates

• what individuals should achieve (objectives)

• how they should achieve it (means)

Different distributed pressure - not everyone have the same opportunities to reach the objectives (limited means). causes frustration - results in deviance (crime)

Mertons explanation to delinquency

Desires are culturally included. -and the social/culturural structure has an effect on delinquency. When society/culture tells the individual exactly what to achieve without providing equal means - delinquency occurs

Example - the american dream

• imposed cultural value/objective: Wealth

• Means: hard work, honesty

• insufficient means: opportunities are not evenly distributed, its easier for the upper-classes

• emphasis on end: lower-class can’t reach ends through the legitimate means. Suffer - fall short - failure of society - leads to delinquency

theory of tension, conflict anomie

tension(inequality) when unable to achieve societal goals through legitimate means

Anomie - not absence of norms, but conflict between societal goals and unequal means/distribution of opportunities.

When same goals but different opportunities - frustration - deviance

different reactions on anomie (5)

1. conformists

2. innovators

3. ritualists

4. retrealists

5. rebels

1. conformists

they believe and respect the objectives/goals and the means - think they can reach the objectives though the legitimate means

2. innovators

believe+accept+want the objectives, buut not thorugh the legitimate means. innovate new ways (delincuency)

3. ritualists

know they will never achieve the objectives through the means, but still respects the means

4. retreatists

gives up on both objectives and means, draw back from society, live on margins (risk of alcohol/drug use)

5. Rebels

want to replace the objectives and means - create a new order

critiques of Anomie by Merton

• ignores plural/diverse nature of cultural values

• not explain crimes of upper class

• explains material crimes, not violent crimes

• not explain why individuals differ in criminal behavior

• not explain why young individuals sometimes stop when older (anomie short-lived?)