Merton’s Strain Theory of Deviance

• What does Merton’s Strain Theory suggest about crime?

  Crime results from a strain between goals and opportunities
• What is the main idea behind Strain Theory?

  Crime occurs due to lack of legitimate opportunities
• Who developed Strain Theory and when?

  Robert Merton in the 1940s
• What cultural system does Merton associate with Strain Theory?

  The American Dream
• How does Merton define the 'American Dream'?

  A meritocratic system assuring equality of opportunity
• What are individuals expected to pursue according to the 'American Dream'?

  Success measured by wealth and possessions
• What does Merton say about the attainability of success goals?

  Not all individuals can attain these goals
• What concept did Merton develop to describe the imbalance in society?

  Anomie
• How does anomie relate to crime and deviance?

  Anomie creates discontent leading to crime
• What barriers do individuals face in achieving success according to Merton?

  Class, race, and social barriers
• How is failure perceived in American society according to Merton?

  As a sign of personal weakness
• What can the pressure to succeed lead disadvantaged individuals to do?

  Adopt illegitimate careers
• What are the five adaptations to strain according to Merton?

  Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, Rebellion
• What are the five adaptations to strain?

  • Conformity: Pursuing goals through approved means
  • Innovation: Using unapproved means for goals
  • Ritualism: Following approved means for modest goals
  • Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means
  • Rebellion: Replacing goals and means
• How does Merton’s theory explain crime among the working class?

  Higher crime rates due to limited opportunities
• What ideology does Merton argue masks the lack of opportunities?

  The American Dream
• What happens to those who fail to achieve success through legitimate means?

  They are condemned for lack of effort
• What does Merton argue about the nature of American society?

  It is highly unequal and divided
• What internalized desire do many young working-class men have?

  To achieve material success
• What do critics argue about Merton’s theory regarding working-class crime?

  It does not explain why all working-class individuals commit crime
• What do subcultural theorists argue about working-class crime?

  Deviant subcultures provide rewards for crime
• What do Marxists criticize about Merton’s view on capitalism?

  It is not critical enough of capitalism
• What does Merton’s theory help explain about crime in prosperous societies?

  Why crime exists despite economic growth
• What did Baumer and Gustafson find regarding crime rates?

  Higher crime rates in areas valuing money success
• How can Merton’s theory apply to white-collar crime?

  Blocked opportunities lead to fraud and crime
• What does Philip Bourgeois illustrate about criminals?

  Some internalize Merton’s success goals
• How does Carl Nightingale apply Merton’s theory?

  To inner-city youths in the 1990s
• What societal issue does Merton’s theory help explain regarding mass shootings?

  Strain experienced by white working-class men
• What do Kalish et al. argue about masculinity and violence?

  A culture of masculinity fosters entitlement and violence
• What barriers do young men face in achieving success?

  Difficulty in obtaining jobs and housing
• How do some men react to not achieving success?

  They blame others for their failures
• What historical context is mentioned regarding white-male reactions?

  Long history of racist reactions in America
• What is a common outcome for mass shooters?

  They often commit suicide after shootings
• How does suicide relate to the masculine narrative?

  It can assert a young man's identity
• What are the key criticisms of Strain Theory?

  • Not all working-class individuals commit crime
  • Overestimates working-class crime extent
  • Underestimates middle-class crime
  • Does not explain violent crime
  • Not critical enough of capitalism
• What does Merton’s Strain Theory fall under in sociology?

  Consensus theory
• What are other consensus theories mentioned?

  Functionalist Theory and Social Control Theory
• What is a key reference for understanding Strain Theory?

  Merton (1957) Social Theory and Social Structure
• Who authored the essential concepts in sociology reference?

  Giddens and Sutton (2017)