Functionalist Analysis: Merton's Strain Theory

Question 1

What did Merton believe caused crime and deviance?

Answer 1

Dysfunction in society

Question 2

What is the “Strain” which Merton describes?

Answer 2

The fact that many were not able to achieve the American Dream by socially acceptable ways so some adapted by doing it in less acceptable ways.

Question 3

What were the 4 adaptations to society that Merton created?

Answer 3

Ritualists, Retreatists, Rebels, Innovators

Question 4

What was the main form of complaince in society called?

Answer 4

Conformists

Question 5

What did Ritualists do?

Answer 5

Continued to follow society’s norms and values even if they knew that they would never achieve success

Question 6

What did Retreatists do?

Answer 6

Reject the norms and values of society and drop out of any acceptable behaviours

Question 7

What did Rebels do?

Answer 7

Create their own norms and values and goals to follow

Question 8

What did Conformists do?

Answer 8

Continued working in a socially acceptable way to achieve the American Dream

Question 9

What did Merton’s study show?

Answer 9

Not all parts of society functioned properly under the organic analogy, therefore creating crime

Question 10

What is a criticism of Merton?

Answer 10

It does not explain why some people do crimes for passion