Functionalism ( Strain Theory)

Question 1

What is strain theory?

Answer 1

It argues that people engage in indecent behaviours when they were unable to achieve socially approved goals, by legitimate means
For example, they may become frustrated and resort to criminal means

Question 2

Ao1 for strain theory

Answer 2

Crime and deviance is the result of strain between the cultural goals and the structural factors. For Merton the cultural goal is to achieve wealth and status. This involves the American dream, the ideology of American dream is the society is meritocratic and that anyone who makes an effort can get ahead. This means everyone is expected to achieve through legitimate means however disadvantage people may not be able to achieve the American dream legitimately. In reality, people are restricted by social structures causing a ‘strain to anomie’ which is lacking social norms. American culture puts more emphasis on achieving the cultural goals and that the game is more important than playing with the rules this causes people to deviate further.
Merton also mentions that individuals adapt to strain differently leading to some people committing more crime than others.

Question 3

Ao3 strain theory

Answer 3

This focuses only on utilitarian crimes and fails to explain crimes, such as vandalism, violence. Also ignore collective deviance as it fails to see that some deviance is the product of sub cultural norm not just individuals striving to achieve society goals. This explanation does not take into account state crimes, such as genocide or torture

Question 4

Name the five adaptions to strain

Answer 4

Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 5

Draw me a table to show the which adaptions to strain accept the goals and if they are legitimate

Answer 5

CONFORMITY - ACCEPTS GOAL, LEGITIMATE MEANS

INNOVATION- ACCEPTS GOAL, ILLEGITIMATE MEANS, LACK LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY

RITUALISM- GIVE UP GOAL, LEGITIMATE WAY

RETREATISM- REJECTS GOALS AND MEANS AND BECOME DROPOUTS

REBELLION- REJECT SOCIETY GOALS AND REPLACE WITH NEW ONES WITH A DESIRE TO CREATE NEW KIND OF SOCIETY

Question 6

Who created strain theory

Answer 6

Merton