1. Functionalism-Mertons strain Theory Flashcards
Outline Mertons 5 main responses to the American dream
- Conformity- accepting the goals & legitimate means to achieve them
- Innovation-subscribe to the goals of the American dream but use illegitimate means to achieve them
- Ritualism- reject the goals but conform to the means
- Retreatism- Reject both the goals of American dream & subscribe to illegitimate means
- Rebellion-replace the goals & means with their own
Outline mertons strain theory
Merton argue that people engage in deviant behaviour when unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means.
In such a situation there is a ‘strain’ between the goals and the means to achieve those goals, and some people turn to crime in order to achieve success.
Merton argued the cultural system of the USA was built on the ‘American Dream’ – a set of meritocratic principles which assured the American public that equality of opportunity was available to all
The ‘American Dream’ encouraged individuals to pursue a goal of success by legitimate means: education & work.
The dominant cultural message was if you are ambitious, talented and work hard, then income and wealth should be your rewards.
However, the reality is diff, many disadvantaged groups denied opportunity to achieve legitimately. e.g poverty, inadequate schools & discrimination in job market blocks opportunities for minority ethnic groups & lower classes.
The resulting strain between cultural goal of success & lack of legitimate opportunities to achieve it produces frustration & in turn creates pressure to resort to illegitimate means such as crime & deviance
Merton calls this pressure to deviate, the strain to anomie
Evaluation of Mertons Strain theory
Merton’s reliance on official statistics means he over-estimates the extent of WC crime & underestimates the extent of MC , or white collar crime.
Also deterministic as WC dont always deviate
It assumes there is a value consensus -that everyone strives for money success & ignores the possibilities that many may not share this goal
Marxists argue that it ignores the power of the ruling class to make & enforce the laws in ways that criminalize the poor but not the rich.
