(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
