Mertons strain theory Flashcards
What is Merton’s key idea?
the root cause of crime lies in the unequal structure of society.
What did Merton believe?
believed that societal norms (the American dream) put pressure on people to conform to work or be a part of a deviant subculture in attempt to achieve these goals.
What are the ways that people adapt to this strain?
Conformity, innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism and rebellion.
What is Conformity?
accepts goals and means
What is innovation?
accepts goal but finds illegal ways of achieving it
What is ritualism?
giving up striving for success
What is retreatism?
rejects both goals and means
What is rebellion?
reject existing goals and means replacing them with new ones
What are the strengths of this theory?
- shows how both normal and deviant behaviour arises from the same goal
- explains why WC rates of crime is higher than other classes.
What are the weaknesses of this theory?
- Ignores crime of the wealthy
- overpredicts WC crime
- Deterministic - not all WC people commit crime.
