Merton - Strain Theory

What did Merton conclude?

That all Americans where socialised into the American dream

What were the goals of the American dream?

Success and material wealth

What happened due to an unequal access to these goals?

A strain between the socially encourages goals (wealth and success) and the socially acceptable means to achieving them.

What were people socialised into believing?

That in order to achieve this goal you have to work hard because society was a meritocracy.

What did individuals do in response to this strain?

Individuals adapted in response some likely to lead to crime.

The adaptations are based on accepting or rejecting the means and or goals.

What are the conformists?

They will confirm and work hard in order to achieve the goal despite difficulties.

What are the innovators?

They still want to goal and financial success however don’t want to work hard in order to achieve them. This can lead to crime and deviance. (Eg robbing a bank)

What are the retreatists?

They reject the means and the goal dropping out of society all together.

may commit crimes such as illegal drug use.

What adaptation will lead to criminal behaviour and why?

Rebellion.

replace means and goal with new ones.

Could be illegal protests or political violence against the idea of American dream.

What would Marxists criticise?

The fact that Merton doesn’t consider whose interests the people are considered into believing.

Bourgeoisie ideology

Socialised into believing the way to achieve these goals is through working hard for their bosses serves the bourgeois’s interests.

what does Merton not consider?

Why some individuals find it harder to achieve society’s goals than others. Or the cause of that problem.

What does Merton not explain about groups?

Why groups of people are deviant in the same way.

Most people conform but those who don’t often deviant in groups. (Gangs and subcultures) he fails to address why.