Strain Theory of Crime

What ideas and theories did Merton develop

• Anomie

• Strain Theory

Why did Merton disagree with other Functionalist Sociologists?

Disagreed that all institutions in society benefitted all of society’s members

• aspects of society would become dysfunctional and would need to change for society

Merton - Strain Theory

There was a strain between socially accepted goals in society and the socially approved means of obtaining these goals

• when people can’t achieve these goals through socially acceptable means they turn towards crime and deviance

What is the American Dream?

Widely-held belief that in the United States, individuals have the opportunity to achieve material success, prosperity, and upward social mobility through hard work, determination, and merit

• shared goals

Why does the American Dream create a Strain in society?

There was a strain between socially encouraged goals of society and the socially acceptable means of achieving them

What are the five adaptations in response to the strain theory? - Merton (RRRIC)

• Rebellion

• Retreatism

• Ritualist

• Innovation

• Conformity

Adaptions to Strain: Rebellion - Merton

Both socially sanctioned goals and means are rejected, and different ones substituted

• society no longer works well and needs to be radically changes

Adaptions to Strain: Retreatism - Merton

Individual fails to achieve success and rejects both goals and means

• ‘drops out’ of society - may become dependent upon drugs and alcohol

Adaptions to Strain: Ritualist - Merton

A person who immerses themself in the daily routine and regulations of their job but has lost sight of the goal of material success

• given up on trying to get promoted or becoming rich and powerful

Adaptions to Strain: Innovation - Merton

Person accepts the goals of society but uses different ways to achieve these goals

• common in lower social classes

• opportunities generally not equal = better-off had advantages over those on lower incomes

Adaptions to Strain: Conformity - Merton

Adhere to both goals and means, despite the limited likelihood of success

Strain Theory - Weaknesses (Valier)

Argues that there is a variety of goals and people strive to attain at any one time

• people might prioritise altruism or a happy family life over financial success of power

Strain Theory - Weaknesses (Taylor, Walton and Young)

Underestimates the amount of middle and upper-class crime while overestimating working class crime

• white collar crime

Strain Theory - Weaknesses (Marxists)

Does not consider the source of social goals, nor in whose interests

• bourgeois ideology: interests of capitalism

• everyone wants money to purchase consumers

Strain Theory - Weaknesses

• failed to explain crimes that do not produce material reward (non-utilitarian crimes)

• ignored group crimes