Strain Theory Flashcards

1
Q

What does Strain Theory argue

A

deviant behaviour when people are unable to achieve socially acceptable goals by legitimate means

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2
Q

Who developed Strain Theory

A

Robert Merton

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3
Q

According to Strain Theory, why does crime/deviance happen?

A

It’s the result of strain between the cultural goals and the structural factors

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4
Q

Define structural factors

A

Society’s unequal opportunity structure

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5
Q

Define cultural factors

A

strong emphasis on success and weak emphasis on achieving these through legitimate means

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6
Q

What is the cultural goal?

A

Merton says wealth and status - ‘American dream’

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7
Q

What is the ideology of the American dream?

A

says that American society is meritocratic (fair) - effort = success

everyone is expected to achieve through legitimate means e.g. a good job

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8
Q

What are the 5 adaptations to strain?

A
  1. Conformity - legitimately achieving the goal (American Dream) - typically middle class
  2. Innovation - illegitimately achieving the goal - typically working class
  3. Ritualism - giving up on the goal, follow the rules anyway
  4. Retreatism - rejecting both the goal and the means - become dropouts
  5. Rebellion - reject the existing society’s goals and means, replace them with new ones and desire to create a new kind of society
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9
Q

Strain Theory A03

A

Focuses on utilitarian crime - fails to explain crimes such as vandalism, violence, genocide, torture etc.

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