Merton's Strain Theory

What does Merton believe the root of the cause of crime lies in?

the unequal structure of society

What does an American society value?

money success and wealth

Why don’t the working class have an equal chance at achieving the American dream?

because opportunities for working class people are often blocked by poverty and inadequate schools

What do blocked opportunities cause?

strain

What are the 4 possible deviant ways?

innovation

Ritualism

Retreatism

Rebellion

Innovators:

accept the goal but reject the means

What do innovators do to reach the goal?

commit utilitarian crimes

Ritualists:

• give up striving for success

• reject the goal accept the means

Retreatism:

dropout who reject both goals and means.

Who does Merton include as retreatists?

• vagrants

• drunkards

• drug addicts

Rebellion:

reject the goals and the means and replaces them with new ones