(2) Functionalism: Merton's Strain Theory Flashcards
How does Merton attempt to do what Durkheim didn’t?
- provides a functionalist analysis of the origins and functions of crime and deviance and explain why certain types of crime/ deviance seem to be linked with certain groups in society
Merton argues everyone in society is committed to shared values and goals, what are these goals in modern western society?
- wealth
- material possessions
- as indicators of success/ achievement
What kind of accepted institutionalised means of achieving these goals does society provide?
- qualifications
- hard work/ motivation
- ambition
- career progression
What does the ideology of the ‘American Dream’ say?
- their society is meritocratic and anyone who makes the effort can get ahead - there are opportunities for all
In a balanced society, what does Merton believe there will be?
- the two aspects of making an effort and having opportunities will be emphasised
- people will be committed to the goals and will have equal opportunity to achieve them legitimately
What imbalance does he observe in many societies?
- emphasis on cultural goals but access to legitimate means of achieving them is limited
Give some examples of things/ circumstances that may deny disadvantaged groups from legitimate success?
- poverty
- inadequate education
- lack of employment opportunities
- discrimination
How does Merton connect people being located in different positions in social structure and people becoming disenchanted?
- there is unequal access to the means of achievement - people are disenchanted as a result of the strain in the structure of society
In Merton’s view - what has led to a situation of anomie and pressure to turn to deviance?
- society’s unequal opportunity structure
Give an example of how American culture puts more emphasis on achieving success at any price? What does this do?
- adds more pressure to deviate
- winning the game becomes more important than playing by the rules
- will commit crimes to get the wealth that society deems as gaining success
What influences how an individual adapts or responds to the strain of anomie?
- their position in the social structure
How would a mc/ upper mc person respond?
- conformity - accept goals and means
How would a wc person respond?
- innovation - accepted goals but rejects means (ie. turns to crime)
How would a lower mc person respond?
- ritualism - reject goals but accept means
How would a person of lower class respond?
- retreatism - rejects goals and means
How would a person higher class respond?
- rebellion - can both challenge and accept both the goals and means
How could the strain theory be considered too deterministic?
- he assumes the majority of crime is committed by the working classes
Does Merton consider all factors that contribute to crime?
- no, only focuses on class
How could his outlines of the adaptations/ responses be criticised?
- too generalised in relations to class
- assumes the middle classes conform which isn’t always the case - doesn’t consider why mc ‘white collar crime’ exists
- (ie. ignores crimes of the powerful)
In his assumption that these responses always happen, what kind of alternatives/ deterrents does he ignore?
- social interaction
- group processes
- primary socialisation
In what way does Merton assume a value consensus?
- not everyone is driven by wealth/ material goods
- nor might everyone see them as indicators of success
Does Merton discuss non-utilitarian crimes?
- no, he doesn’t recognise that not all crimes lead to wealth/ are motivated by money
- theory is only plausible for utilitarian crime
How does he over generalise the culture of class?
- different families have different morals
What type of crime does he ignore along with mc crime and non-utilitarian crime?
- group crime
How do Messner and Rosenfeld support Merton’s theory?
- also believe the obsession with money and ‘winner takes all’ mentality exerts pressure towards crime by encouraging an anomic cultural environment where people are encouraged to adopt an ‘anything goes’ mentality to gain wealth
What observation would support Merton’s theory?
- in societies based on free-market capitalism + lacking adequate welfare - high crime rates are inevitable
How do Downes and Hansen support Messner and Rosenfeld’s comment?
- show that countries that spend more on welfare have less crime and lower rates of imprisonment eg. Scandinavian countries
How can Merton be applauded? ESPECIALLY AS A FUNCTIONALIST
- he recognises that there are inequalities in society and disadvantage can lead to crime
