Crime And Deviance - Strain Theories Flashcards
SOCIOLOGIST: What is Merton’s strain theory for crime & deviance?
Built on Durkheim’s theory of anomie & argues people commit crimes when they cannot achieve socially approved goals by their legitimate means so they become frustrated & result to criminal means to get what they want
SOCIOLOGIST: What 2 elements are combined in Merton’s strain theory?
Structural factors -> society’s unequal opportunity structure
Cultural factors -> the strong emphasis on success & goals & and weak emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve those goals
SOCIOLOGIST: What is the problem with Merton using the American dream to relate to strain theory?
It is based on the context of American society which cannot be applied to other societies
Explain strain theory in western civilisation?
There are big cultural goals e.g. big cars, expensive holidays that we’re socialised into wanting, with legitimate means of achieving them e.g. education. Ideology suggests society is meritocratic, however poverty & discrimination block many from achieving those goals legitimately, the resulting strain then produces frustration & the pressure resorts in people turning to illegitimate means. The pressure is then worsened as there is an importance that material goods are achieved at any price with no one caring where the money comes from. Anomie is further worsened, when rules start to be ignored to a greater extent, causing social atrophy
SOCIOLOGIST: What are Merton’s deviant adaptations to strain?
Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
What is the conformity deviant adaptation to strain?
Accepting both goals & legitimate means of achieving them
Most common response
What is the innovation deviant adaptation to strain?
Accepting the goals but rejecting the legitimate means to achieve them (e.g. using threat/fraud to achieve it)
What is the ritualism deviant adaptation to strain?
Rejecting the goals but going along with the legitimate means
Results from being strongly socialised to conform to expected behaviour
Example -> office workers
What is the retreatism deviant adaptation of strain?
Rejecting both the goals & legitimate means
Example -> addicts/tramps
What is the rebellion deviant adaptation to strain?
A response that seeks to replace the goals & legitimate means with new ones that meet the norms of values of that culture
Example -> hippies
EVALUATION: What are the strengths of Merton’s strain theory?
Shows how both normal & deviant behaviour can arise from mainstream goals -> both conformist & innovators seek money just different means
EVALUATION: What are the criticisms of Merton’s strain theory?
Explains patterns in official stats -> not valid (dark figures of crime) & takes them at face value -> over represent w class & sees crime as a w class phenomena
Too deterministic -> w class experience the most strain, not all deviate
Marxists argue Merton ignores power of ruling class -> make & enforce laws that criminalise poor not rich
Assumes value consensus -> not everyone shares this goal (e.g. the Amish)
SOCIOLOGIST: What is Cohen’s theory of status frustration?
Focuses on deviance among w class boys
They suffer status frustration & resolve their frustration by rejecting mainstream values & forming their own deviant subculture
What are the values of the deviant subculture proposed by Cohen?
Spite, malice, hostility, contempt for others -> inverts mainstream values
What is the function of the deviant subculture, proposed by Cohen?
Offers boys an alternative status hierarchy -> they win status from their peers with delinquent actions
