Functionalism - Strain Theory (Merton, Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin)

Question 1

What type of functionalist is Merton

Answer 1

A structural functionalists, says social structures causes crime

Question 2

What does the strain theory say causes crime

Answer 2

Strain between cultural goals set by society and structural inequalities
Structural inequalities stop people from achieving through legitimate means

Question 3

What is the American dream

Answer 3

Anyone who works can be successful by affording material goods (similar to meritocracy)

Question 4

What is Merton’s opinion on the American dream

Answer 4

American dream is not true for everyone
Social structures blocking opportunities

Question 5

How does the American dream impact the strain in society according to Merton

Answer 5

Strain is exaggerated by over-emphasis on achieving goals and under-emphasis on need to achieve the goals legally
Deviance is a ‘built in product’

Question 6

What are the 5 ways of responding to strain

Answer 6

Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

Question 7

What is Conformity as a way to respond to strain

Answer 7

They share the same goals as society and can use legitimate means to achieve them (MC and have good opportunities)

Question 8

What is Innovation as a way to respond to strain

Answer 8

They share the same goals as society but do not have the means to achieve them legitimately = crime (Lower class and under pressure)

Question 9

What is Ritualism as a way to respond to strain

Answer 9

They do not share the same goals as society but they do have the means to achieve them (Follow the rules for their own sake - Lower MC with dead end jobs)

Question 10

what is Retreatism as a way to respond to strain

Answer 10

They do not have the same goals as society or the means to achieve them (‘give up’, drug addicts and vagrants who are coating along)

Question 11

What is Rebellion as a way to respond to strain

Answer 11

They do not have the same goals or have the means to achieve them and instead replace them with their own goals and ways to achieve (political radicals, hippies)

Question 12

What are two positives of Merton’s strain theory

Answer 12

Shows how normal and deviant behaviour can arise from some mainstream goals
Explains utilitarian crime and lower-class crime

Question 13

What are three negatives of Merton’s strain theory

Answer 13

Not explaining utilitarian crimes or group crimes
Assumes VC - not everyone strives for money success
Not explaining those who have American dream still commits crime

Question 14

What does Cohens subcultural strain theory aim to explain

Answer 14

Why people commit crime in groups and non-utilitarian from Merton’s theory

Question 15

What are Blocked opportunities - Cohen

Answer 15

Struggle to achieve mainstream goals legitimately because of social structures
WC boys e.g cultural deprivation

Question 16

What is Status frustration - Cohen

Answer 16

Can’t achieve mainstream goals so struck in low class status

Question 17

What is a Delinquent subculture - Cohen

Answer 17

Inverts values from mainstream society e.g boys gain status from truanting

Question 18

What is Alternative status hierarchy - Cohen

Answer 18

Alternate subculture offers different way to achieve

Question 19

What is Illegitimate opportunity structure - Cohen

Answer 19

Win status through delinquent action e.g non-utilitarian crime, vandalism

Question 20

What criticism does Miller make of Cohens Subcultural strain theory

Answer 20

WC did not share mainstream goals in the first place so not frustrated by failure
Socialised in to ‘focal concerns’ more linked to criminal behaviour e.g toughness, fatalism, excitement

Question 21

What are two general criticism for Cohens subcultural strain theory

Answer 21

Ignores WC female delinquents
Most WC boys do conform despite educational failure

Question 22

What do Cloward and Ohlin want to try show/ explain

Answer 22

People have different opportunities to commit different types of crime

Question 23

What are the three types of neighbourhoods Cloward and Ohlin talk about

Answer 23

Criminal
Conflict
Retreatist

Question 24

What is the criminal neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 24

A neighbourhood where existing organised criminal network exists
Young people are ‘criminal apprentice’
Utilitarian crime, drug dealing

Question 25

What is a conflict neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 25

High population turnover
Constant change prevents professional criminal network
Clashes between groups - frustration and gain status
Non-utiliarian crimes

Question 26

What is a retreatist neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin

Answer 26

‘Double failures’
Failed both the legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structure
E.g illegal drug usage

Question 27

Who criticises Cloward and Ohlin and what does he say

Answer 27

Matza
Crime is not fixed as Cloward and Ohlin suggest
People will drift in and out of crime based on ‘subterranean values’
Subterranean Values - Something we all share, most dont act on them but young people more likely as have less control over their lives

Question 28

How is the Suncultural Strain theory useful

Answer 28

Explains non-utilitarian crime and group deviance (Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin)
Explains different types of WC crime in terms of different subcultures (Cloward and Ohlin)

Question 29

What are two criticism of subcultural strain theory

Answer 29

Like Merton: over predict WC crime and ignores crime of the wealthy
Draws boundaries too sharply - some subcultures can show characteristics of moore than one type