MERTON STRAIN THEORY

Question 1

Strain theory

Answer 1

The theory that deviance is more likely to occur when a gap exists between cultural goals and the ability to achieve these goals by legitimate means.

Question 2

Merton, 1938 - ‘Strain Theory’

Answer 2

• Developed a strain (to anomie) theory by adapting Durkheim’s concept of anomie to explain deviance.
• Explanation combines two elements:
  (1) structural factors - society’s unequal opportunity structure
  (2) cultural factors - the strong emphasis on success goals and the weaker emphasis on using legitimate means to achieve them.
• Deviance is the result of a strain between the goals that a culture encourages individuals to achieve and what the institutional structure of society allows them to achieve legitimately.
• An individual’s position in the social structure affects the way they adapt or respond to the strain to anomie.

Question 3

Merton
Deviant adaptions to strain

Answer 3

1. Conformity - accept goals and strive to achieve them legitimately. MC (have the opp. to achieve)
2. Innovation - accept goals but employs illegitimate means, like theft or fraud, to achieve them. WC (under the greatest pressure to innovate)
3. Ritualism - give up trying to achieve goals but have internalised the legitimate means and so follow the rules. Lower MC in dead-end, routine jobs
4. Retreatism - Reject goals and the means to achieve them. Merton includes psychotics, outcasts and drug addicts as examples.
5. Rebellion - reject existing goals and means but replace them with new ones in a desire to bring about revolutionary change. Political radicals and countercultures.

Question 4

Subculture Strain Theories

Answer 4

See deviance as a product of delinquent subculture with different values from those of mainstream society.

Question 5

E.G. ‘The American Dream’

Answer 5

• Americans are expected to pursue the goal of economic success by legitimate means: self-discipline, hard work and qualifications with the belief of meritocracy; however, the reality of society is different.
• Many disadvantaged groups are denied opportunities to achieve legitimately. For example, poverty, discrimination in the job market and inadequate schooling may block opportunities for many ethnic minorities and the lower classes.
• This resulting strain between the cultural goal of economic success and the lack of legitimate opportunities to achieve it produces frustration which, in turn, creates a pressure to resort to illegitimate means such as crime and deviance: the strain to anomie.
• According to Merton, winning the game can become more important than playing by the rules.

Question 6

Merton, 1938 - ‘Strain Theory’
EV.

Answer 6

+ Builds on Durkheim views
+ Explains the patterns shown in official crime statistics: most crime is poverty crime as American society values material wealth so highly and lower-class crime rates are higher as they have least opportunity to obtain wealth legitimately.
- Underestimates white collar and middle-class crime
- Deterministic
- Assumes goal and value consensus - that everyone strives for economic success.
- Cohen criticises Merton’s for:
(1) ignoring the fact that much deviance is committed in or by groups, especially among the young - it explains how deviance results from individuals adapting to the strain to anomie but ignores the role of group deviance, such as delinquent subcultures
(2) Focusing predominantly on utilitarian crimes committed for material gain, such as theft or fraud. Merton largely ignores crimes, such as assault and vandalism, or even state crimes, such as genocide or torture, which may have no economic motive.