merton - strain theory

Question 1

what is theory

Answer 1

functionalism

Question 2

where does the root cause of crime lie

Answer 2

in the unequal structure of society

Question 3

what does he focus on

Answer 3

American dream but can also be approved to western society’s

Question 4

what does the ideology of the american dream say

Answer 4

that american society is meritocratic and that anyone who makes the effort can get ahead, he argues that when people realise this isn’t the case, they have different responses

Question 5

what is strain in a nutshell

Answer 5

the pressure of the lower class wanting the societal goals as society puts an emphasis on having these, they are unable to get this (anomie) so people commit crime to achieve them

Question 6

what are the 5 responses

Answer 6

1. conformity:accepting the goal,striving to achieve it through legitimate means
   2: innovation: accepting the goal using illegitimate means to get it, WC through theft
2. ritualism: giving up the goal, internalized the legitimate means - follow rules anyway (non criminals, accepting being average)
   4.retreatism: rejecting means and goals, become drop outs
3. rebellion: rejecting society’s means and goals, replace the, with new ones to create a new kind of society

Question 7

describe if CONFORMITY:
1. accept the goal
2. accept legitimate means
3. and example

Answer 7

1. yes
2. yes
3. uni students/ lawyers/ doctors

Question 8

describe if INNOVATION:
1. accept the goal
2. accept legitimate means
3. and example

Answer 8

1. yes
2. no
3. working class, drug dealers

Question 9

describe if RITUALISM:
1. accept the goal
2. accept legitimate means
3. and example

Answer 9

1. no
2. yes
3. retail worker, office jobs

Question 10

describe if RETREATISM:
1. accept the goal
2. accept legitimate means
3. and example

Answer 10

1. no
2. no
3. drug users, vagrancy

Question 11

describe if REBELLION:
1. accept the goal
2. accept legitimate means
3. and example

Answer 11

1. no
2. no ( create new goals and means )
3. campaigners

Question 12

IN DEPTH: describe innovators

Answer 12

• accept goal
• find illegal ways to achieve it (committing utilitarian crime)
• usually lower class
• blocked opportunity’s

Question 13

what are examples of retreatists crimes

Answer 13

moral crimes, vagrancy and drug and alcohol abuse

Question 14

STRENGTH: what does merton show

Answer 14

• how both normal and deviant behaviour arise from the same goal,
  -for example:
  both conformists and innovators both pursue money but by different means.
• this is a strength because:
  it explains how societal goals can cause different responses by getting high qualifications to get well paying jobs

Question 15

STRENGTH: what his theory back up, link to GRAVE

Answer 15

crime patterns that are shown in the US - explains why WC re higher because they have a lack of opportunity to legitimately achieve goals so resort to crimes such as theft
APPLICABLE

Question 16

WEAKNESS: what types of crime does merton ignore

Answer 16

• crimes that dont give financial rewards
• middle class crimes
• they can be considered innovators, non traditional, WCC crimes such as fraud

Question 17

WEAKNESS: what does he only focus on

Answer 17

individual crimes and so ignores group deviance, state crimes and gangs