Strain Flashcards
anomie
“condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals”.
Strain theory
Merton tried to reformulate Durkheim’s idea of anomie.
Anomie becomes the explanation in Merton’s case as he was studying the high rates of deviant behaviour in the US in the 1920s/1930s as compared with other societies.- as well as looking at different groups within US
Along with comparing the US economy with others, he looked at the distribution of deviancy between countries and within countries (between different groups).
Found that there was not an equal distribution of deviancy (between countries/groups within countries)
strain 2
People are socialised into wanting certain things out of life (cultural goals).- eg house, car, holidays
These culture goals are rewards that people expect to achieve in society in exchange for working hard, studying, contributing to the economy.- meritocracy
People in the US are socialised into desiring certain ‘cultural goals’ (the ‘American Dream’).
Material success is chief amongst these, and legitimate means are provided for achieving this.
The problem with that, is that not everybody can achieve these cultural goals.
What happens when an individual realises that the cultural goal they are trying to achieve (materialistic) is unattainable?
interested in peoples response to those pressures
first time focus on the negative emotions that explain deviant behaviour
crime as a corrective action
5 reactions
mode of adaptation cultural goal means
conformity
+ +
innovation
+ -
ritualism
- +
retreatism
- -
rebellian -/+ -/+
5 reactions 2
Conformity: goals and means accepted.
Innovation: wants goals, but ‘cheats’ (most likely to lead to criminal/deviant action)
Ritualism: gives up on goals, jobsworth.- using legitimate means - works everyday job - office job etc
Retreatism: gives up on goals and means.- drop out of society
Rebellion: gives up on dominant goals/means, finds new goals and means.
