Functionalism - Strain Theory (Merton, Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin) Flashcards
What type of functionalist is Merton
A structural functionalists, says social structures causes crime
What does the strain theory say causes crime
Strain between cultural goals set by society and structural inequalities
Structural inequalities stop people from achieving through legitimate means
What is the American dream
Anyone who works can be successful by affording material goods (similar to meritocracy)
What is Merton’s opinion on the American dream
American dream is not true for everyone
Social structures blocking opportunities
How does the American dream impact the strain in society according to Merton
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’
What are the 5 ways of responding to strain
Conformity
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
What is Conformity as a way to respond to strain
They share the same goals as society and can use legitimate means to achieve them (MC and have good opportunities)
What is Innovation as a way to respond to strain
They share the same goals as society but do not have the means to achieve them legitimately = crime (Lower class and under pressure)
What is Ritualism as a way to respond to strain
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)
what is Retreatism as a way to respond to strain
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)
What is Rebellion as a way to respond to strain
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)
What are two positives of Merton’s strain theory
Shows how normal and deviant behaviour can arise from some mainstream goals
Explains utilitarian crime and lower-class crime
What are three negatives of Merton’s strain theory
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
What does Cohens subcultural strain theory aim to explain
Why people commit crime in groups and non-utilitarian from Merton’s theory
What are Blocked opportunities - Cohen
Struggle to achieve mainstream goals legitimately because of social structures
WC boys e.g cultural deprivation
What is Status frustration - Cohen
Can’t achieve mainstream goals so struck in low class status
What is a Delinquent subculture - Cohen
Inverts values from mainstream society e.g boys gain status from truanting
What is Alternative status hierarchy - Cohen
Alternate subculture offers different way to achieve
What is Illegitimate opportunity structure - Cohen
Win status through delinquent action e.g non-utilitarian crime, vandalism
What criticism does Miller make of Cohens Subcultural strain theory
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
What are two general criticism for Cohens subcultural strain theory
Ignores WC female delinquents
Most WC boys do conform despite educational failure
What do Cloward and Ohlin want to try show/ explain
People have different opportunities to commit different types of crime
What are the three types of neighbourhoods Cloward and Ohlin talk about
Criminal
Conflict
Retreatist
What is the criminal neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin
A neighbourhood where existing organised criminal network exists
Young people are ‘criminal apprentice’
Utilitarian crime, drug dealing
What is a conflict neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin
High population turnover
Constant change prevents professional criminal network
Clashes between groups - frustration and gain status
Non-utiliarian crimes
What is a retreatist neighbourhood according to Cloward and Ohlin
‘Double failures’
Failed both the legitimate and illegitimate opportunity structure
E.g illegal drug usage
Who criticises Cloward and Ohlin and what does he say
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
How is the Suncultural Strain theory useful
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)
What are two criticism of subcultural strain theory
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
