Functionalist: Merton's Strain Theory

Question 1

Strain theory argue that..

Answer 1

• people engage in deviant behaviour when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means

Question 2

example what strain theory is

Answer 2

• a person may be frustrated and resort to criminal means to get what they want or find comfort in drug use

Question 3

strain theory developed from..

Answer 3

• it developed from Durkeim’s concept of anomie (normlessness) to explain deviance

Question 4

it is the combination of 2 things:

Answer 4

1. structural factors; society’s unequal opportunity structure
2. cultural factors; strong emphasis on success goals and the weaker emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve them

Question 5

deviance is the result of a strain between 2 things:

Answer 5

1. goals; that culture encourages people to achieve

2. what the institutional structure of society allows them to achieve legitimately

Question 6

example of ‘the american dream’

Answer 6

• it is the idea that the american society is meritocratic but in reality many disadvantaged groups are denied opportunities to achieve legitimately.
• poverty, racism etc block opportunities for lower class ethnic minorities

Question 7

why does the ‘american dream’ lead to deviance

Answer 7

• the lack of legitimate opportunities leads to frustration which creates a pressure to resort to illegitimate means (MERTON calls this strain to anomie)
• the pressure to deviate further due to american culture emphasising on achieving success at any price (playing the game is more important than playing by the rules)

Question 8

deviant adaptations to strain:

Answer 8

• a person’s position in society affects the way they adapt/response ti strain to anomie
• they can either accept, reject or replace the approved cultural goals and legitimate means of achieving them

Question 9

conformity:

Answer 9

• a person who accept the approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately
• most are middle class people who have good opportunities to achieve it

Question 10

innovation:

Answer 10

• people accept the goal of money success but use a ‘new’ illegitimate means like theft
• lower class are under the greatest pressure to innovate

Question 11

ritualism:

Answer 11

• individuals who give up in trying to achieve goals but internalised the legitimate means so they follow rule
• lower middle class office workers in dead end jobs

Question 12

retreatism:

Answer 12

• individuals that reject both goals and the legitimate means and become drop outs
• e.g. tramps, outcasts

Question 13

rebellion

Answer 13

• individuals who reject the existing society’s goals an means bit replace them with new ones in a desire to change and create a new society
• e.g. hippies