Strain Theory

Question 1

Who is responsible for Strain theory?

Answer 1

Merton

Question 2

What is strain theory?

Answer 2

Based on the writings of Merton on the American dream. It argues that the pressure of chasing material wealth and status in order to be recognised in society, was making people turn to crime.

Question 3

Merton believed there were _ strategies

Answer 3

5

Question 4

What are the _ strategies?

Answer 4

5,
- Conformity
- Innovation
- Ritualism
- Retreatism
- Rebellion

Question 5

What are the 3 Rs of the _ strategies

Answer 5

5,
The 3 are…
- Ritualism
- Retreatism
- Rebellion

Question 6

What’s an example of retreatism?

Answer 6

Hikikomori

Question 7

What’s are examples of Rebellion?

Answer 7

Anti materialist priesthood and Communist organisation

Question 8

What’s an example of Ritualism

Answer 8

Accepting a job with no prospects of climbing higher.

Question 9

What’s are examples of Innovation

Answer 9

The latest crypto currency scams capitalising of people’s dreams of easier money.
And the success of some immigrant communities who were known to get into organised crime such as Italian Americans in the first half of the 20th century

Question 10

What are some examples of conformity?

Answer 10

• acquiring a bank loan
• Going through the education system

Question 11

What are some criticisms of Strain theory?

Answer 11

• Is it victim blaming? It perhaps overemphasises individual agency and ignores wider institutional societal problems like food poverty and the prison system recidivism.
• Not really any feasible policy applications.
• The assumption that everyone shares this cultural goal, rather than just looking to be comfortable and fulfilled in their own way.

Question 12

What’s a deficit of Strain theory?

Answer 12

It may be criticised for not implying any solutions outside of revolutionary ones, although this is debatable if people believe the system can be made kinder and easier to thrive in.
Marxists do not.

• Gender and race blind, there’s little to nothing to say about this.
• It deindividualises people. Not everyone will under this strain go any of these routes of crime or despair, people may be bound by civic duty or family.
• not all crime is utilitarian, sometimes crime is done out of passion, the theory is incomplete

Question 13

What’s a time in history that may support strain theory and Durkheim’s theory of anomie?

Answer 13

The fall of the Soviet Union saw a massive Spike in utilitarian crimes across the countries in 1989.
Savelsberg says this is because of the new monetary success standard of status and insecurity that replaced the communist collectivity.

Question 14

Downes and Hansen found countries with stronger welfare have lower crime rates. Eg…what?

Answer 14

. New deal in the U.S
. Switzerland
. The Soviet Union compared to after its collapse