Strain theory

Question 1

Merton

Answer 1

Society is unequal, and the inability of some people to reach the American dream lead to a strain in anomie.
He says people will react in different ways to the American dream

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

-Merton said the majority of Americans conformed.
- They work hard, get good education that leads them to success.
-Accepted societies goals and achieved them through legitimate means.

Question 2

Innovation

Answer 2

• Accepted socially approved goals but found legitimate means to get it where blocked
• Adapt illegitimate means to reach socially approved goals
• often organised crime, white collar crime

Question 3

Ritualists

Answer 3

• Accepted they will not achieve the American dream.
• Conform to the social norms and values of society, so kept with legitimate means knowing they wouldn’t reach American dream

Question 4

Retreatists

Answer 4

• As opportunity’s are blocked the reject the norms and values of society
• Drop out of society
• Turn to alcohol and drug abuse
• Just trying to get from one day to the next

Question 5

Rebellion

Answer 5

-Challenge the socially approved goals and try and set out there own society
- Look to adopt alternative methods of achieving the society they want
- Activists and Protesters

Question 6

Evaluation

Answer 6

+ Recognized the role of structural inequality and highlighted the lack of opportunities of some group.
- Not all people want to love up to achieve the American dream
- Explains some crimes but not crimes committed out of passion, or why people victimize others