Crime and Deviance - Functionalism: Merton Flashcards
What does Merton argue?
Merton created the ‘Strain Theory’. He argues that the cultural system of the USA is based on the idea of the ‘American Dream’. He said that despite what these principles stated, this goal was not attainable by all due to the structural organisation of the USA; resources to success were not equally distributed.
What is the ‘American Dream’?
The ‘American Dream’ is a set of meritocratic principles that state the equality of opportunity was available to the entire population regardless of ethnicity, gender or class. If you are ambitious and work hard, you will be successful.
What is ‘anomie’?
Anomie is the strain or tension between the goals and means which produces unsatisfied aspirations.
Why did Merton create anomie?
Merton developed the idea of anomie to describe the imbalance between cultural goals and institutionalised means.
What are the 5 ways in which people adapt to strain?
- Conformity
- Innovation
- Ritualism
- Retreatism
- Rebellion
What is conformity?
Pursuing cultural goals through socially acceptable means.
What is innovation?
Using socially disapproved means to pursue cultural goals.
For example, drug dealing or stealing to become rich.
What is ritualism?
Using socially approved means to achieve less elusive goals.
What is retreatism?
To reject the cultural goals and the means to obtain it and then to try and escape from it.
What is rebellion?
To reject the cultural goals and means and then to find a way to replace them.
Evaluation - What do subcultural theorists argue?
Not all working class people turn to crime and so we need something else to explain why some do and why some don’t. Subcultural theorists say that it is because deviant subcultures offer rewards for individuals who commit crimes.
Evaluation - What does Strain Theory only explain?
Strain theory only explains utilitarian crime and not non-utilitarian crime.
Evaluation - What do Marxists point out?
Marxists point out that the lack of equality of opportunity is at the heart of the Capitalist system.
