Merton's Strain Theory

Question 1

The main cause of crime according to Merton?

Answer 1

The main cause of crime according to Merton is because of the strain between cultural and structural factors

Question 2

What leads to criminal/deviant activities?

Answer 2

When an individual is unable to achieve culturally accepted goals (monetary success) through legitimate means

Question 3

Which social groups are denied of the opportunities of success?

Answer 3

Lower class, ethnic minorities, women

Question 4

Both normal and deviant stem from the same goal

Answer 4

'’norms are not strong enough to succumb temptation’’

Question 5

What affects an individual’s response to the strain?

Answer 5

That individual’s position in the social structure

Question 6

Eval Found that lower class crime rates are higher as they have limited access to the opportunities that will give them monetary success. But the rich…

Answer 6

Laws benefit the rich, protecting their property. Representation of the w/c may be exaggerated in crime rates such as the official stats

Question 7

Eval Recognises the pursuit of success through wealth (the american dream) But..

Answer 7

Is there a consensus about success in society? (religious groups and other subcultures have their own norms and values)

Question 8

Eval Most crime is property crime..

Answer 8

Merton only ever explains utilitarian crime. Fails to recognise non-utilitarian crime that has no financial gain. Eg. Vandalism, domestic violence, rape.

Question 9

*Criticism concerning other factors & social groups…

Answer 9

Merton’s strain theory fails to explain other factors and social groups that affect someone’s decision to deviate like:
gender
ethnicity

• why dont all lower class people turn to crime then???