Left Functionalism

Question 1

Left Functionalism

Strain Theory

Answer 1

• Criminological theory developed by Merton in 1938.
• The theory states society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (e.g. the American Dream).
• The individual is pressured into this even if they lack the means to do so (commonly lower class).

Question 2

Left Functionalism

Cause of Crime

Answer 2

• Those who wish to be free from the pressure are more likely to commit criminal acts.
• Merton’s views of crime and deviance were that they were a product of dysfunction in society.
• Suggested society was structurally unequal and the inability of some members to achieve the American Dream lead to strain on anomie.
• This strain may lead to people commiting deviant or criminal behaviour.

Question 3

Left Functionalism

Reactions to the American Dream

Answer 3

• People react in different ways to the American Dream.
• Some would continue to accept social acceptable goasl and strive to achieve those through either legitimate or illegitimate means.
• Others would reject socially-approved goals and either deviate or conform to socially approved behaviours.

Question 4

Left Functionalism: Deviant Adaptations

Conformity

Answer 4

• Accepted social goals and pursued them through leigitimate means.
• The majority of Americans conformed according to Merton.
• They worked hard and chose the path that lead to success.

Question 5

Left Functionalism: Deviant Adaptations

Innovations

Answer 5

• Accepted socially-approved goas bit found legitmate means were ineffective for unavailable to them.
• They adopted illegal means to achieve socially-accepted goals (e.g. organised crime).

Question 6

Left Functionalism: Deviant Adaptations

Ritualism

Answer 6

• Accepted that they are unlike to achieve socially-approved goals of wealth.
• Conformed to the norms and values of society, continuing to adopt legitimate means despite knwing it would not lead to their goals.
• Routine occupations, middle management.

Question 7

Left Functionalism: Deviant Adaptations

Retreatism

Answer 7

• Seeing routes to achieve goals are blocked, retreatists reject the norms and values of society.
• With little motivation or conformity, this group would drop out of society, according to Merton.
• May lead to alcohol and drug abuse, petty crimes.

Question 8

Left Functionalism: Deviant Adaptations

Rebellion

Answer 8

• Challenged socially-accepted goals and look to set out their own vision of society.
• Rejected the legitmate means achieving these goals and would look to adopt alternative methods of achieving their vision of society.
• Examples: political dissidents, activists, protestors.

Question 9

Left Functionalism

Evaluation

Answer 9

• Recognised the role of structural inequality in crime and highlighted the lack of opportunties available to some groups.
• Strain is dependent upon people wanting to achieve socially-approved goals.
• Offers explanations for utilitarian crimes but doesn’t explain crimes of passion or why some choose to victimise others.