Merton Strain Theory Flashcards
The American dream
This is what Merton says everyone is striving towards and how everyone wants to live.
Barack Obama- started from the bottom and worked his way up
Mertons Thoery
Define
He states people want the wealthy middle/ upper class lifestyle. However those of lower income and lower class will feel a sense of strain as they can’t achieve this.
He says people either accpet it, give up, reject it or use illegal means to get it.
Conformity
Type
What most of the American public do, Accept the GOALS and the MEANS of achieving them.
Innovator
Type
Accept the GOAL however create their own MEANS to get it
Criminals
Ritualism
Type
They have given up, reject the GOAL however accept the MEANS.
Often participate in the lottery to get out of the rut they are in
Retreatism
Type
Give up, do drink and drugs to get over themselves.#
loose track, so reject, both GOALS and MEANS.
Rebellion
Type
Want to change the way society is so make up their own GOALS and MEANS.
Protestors
Evaluation
Positive
Useful as it shows why people commit crimes
Shows that there are many different Reasons why people will commit crimes depending on their own position in society.
Evaluation
Negative
Merton focuses on the American dream- but not everyone wants to acheive this.
Merton only focuses on Utillaterian crimes and not violent crimes with no monetry gain.
Femenistns argue that it only focuses on men.
Why dont all lower class people commit crimes.
Tyler 1971- Giant fruit machiene- who benifits.
who says everyone fits into one
