Strain Theory (Functionalism)

Question 1

Why does crime/deviance happen?(Strain theory)

Answer 1

• Merton, crime and deviance is a result of strain between the cultural goals and the structural factors
• structural factors = unequal opportunity structure
• cultural factors = strong emphasis on success and weaker emphasis on achieving these through legitimate means
• everyone is expected to achieve through legitimate means, good job, qualifications
• people are restricted by social structures causing a ‘strain to anomie’ or frustration
• American culture puts more emphasis on achieving the cultural goals

Question 2

5 adaptions to Strain

Answer 2

Conformity - accept the goal and strive to achieve it by legitimate means
Innovation - accept the goal but use illegitimate means to achieve it
Ritualism - giving up on her goal, but internalised the legitimate means
Retreatism - reject both the goal and means and become dropouts
Rebellion - individuals reject the existing society’s goals and means, but they replace them with new ones and desire to create a new kind of society

Question 3

Evaluation for Strain theory

Answer 3

• ignores ‘crimes of the suites’
• focuses on utilitarian crime, fails to explain crimes such as violence
• doesn’t take into account state crimes such as genocide or torture
• ignores collective deviance: fails to see that some deviance is the product of subcultural norms and values