Merton’s strain theory Flashcards
what’s Merton’s strain theory?
Merton argues ppl engage in deviant behaviour when they can’t achieve success goals of society with legitimate means.
two explanations of Merton’s strain theory
structural factors- society’s unequal opportunity structure
cultural factors- strong emphasis on success goals and weakened emphasis on using legit means to achieve them
what is deviance the result of?
strain.
strain between goals a culture encourages ppl to aim for and what the structure of society acc allows them to achieve legitimately results in deviance.
American Dream definition
the American Dream is money success
Americans expected to peruse this with legit means (education, hard work)
American Dream ideology
ideology claims American society is meritocratic. in reality, it’s different. disadvantaged groups denied opportunities to achieve by legit means (poverty, discrimination).
strain of anomie
there is strain between cultural goal (money success) to the lack of opportunities. this leads to frustration then illegit means (crime)
Merton on deviant adaptations to strain theory
Merton argues an individual’s position in social structure affect how they adapt to the strain of anomie
five deviant adaptations to strain
conformity
innovation
ritualism
retreatism
rebellion
conformity definition
conformity= individuals accept the culturally approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately
(usually MC- good opportunities to achieve)
(typical response of most americans)
innovation definition
innovation= individuals accept the money success goal but use illegit means to achieve it eg. theft, fraud.
(usually lower class)
(those who lack legit opportunities)
(greatest pressure to innovate)
ritualism definition
individuals give up on the goal but have already internalised legit means and follow the rules for their own sake
(typical of lower-MC office workers in dead-end routine jobs)
retreatism definition
retreatism= individuals reject both goal and legit means and drop out of society
(Merton’s examples: outcasts, vagrants, drug addicts)
rebellion definition
rebellion= individuals replace existing goals and means with new ones with the aim of bringing about social change
(rebels include political radical and counter-cultures eg. hippies)
evaluation: strengths of Merton
he shows how normal behaviour and deviant behaviour come from the same goals. conformists and innovators both want the same goal but use different means
official statistics show:
most crime is property crime bc American society values material wealth so highly
WC crime rates are higher bc they have least opportunity to get wealth legitimately
evaluation: criticisms of Merton
over-deterministic- takes official statistics at face value (overpredicts WC crimes)
over-deterministic- over predicts significance of money as the cause of crime so that WC will have the most strain. (there isn’t a value consensus of money being the goal). in reality, many will never commit crime.
no reference to white collar crime (MC crimes)
