Strain theory

• Strain theory

  Robert Merton (1910-1003) Chicago school

  
  

  Crime happens because society is unequal

  
  

  In western societies, success is measured in terms of material wealth.

  
  

  Society teaches us that life is about striving for material wealth
• Key arguments of the strain theory.

  -Crime is the result of unequal access to society's goal of wealth

  
  

  -Not everyone has equal opportunities, w/c are strained to gain access to wealth legitimately.

  
  

  -theory states that certain strains increase the likelihood of crime

  
  

  -This theory argues that crime occurs when there is a gap between the cultural goals of a society and the structural means to achieve these. This strain between means and goals results in frustration and resentment, and encourages some people to use illegal or illegitimate means to secure success.
• How do we see strain in our society? (schools)

  Schools often promote the idea that anyone can succeed with hard work and talent. However, not every student has the same support or resources. This disparity creates strain.
• How do we see strain in our society? (jobs)

  In the workplace, the strain might come from the push to achieve professional success and financial stability.
• How do we see strain in out society? (economy)

  Strain theory also helps to explain societal reactions to economic downturns. When the usual means to achieve financial stability are disrupted, increases in deviant behaviour (theft, fraud) might be understood as innovative responses to strain.

  
  

  On the other hand, increased community engagement and support networks may emerge as a conformist response, adhering to societal values of co-operation and support.
• How does this link to criminality?

  -Blocked opportunities may be because of lack of schooling and poverty.

  
  

  -There is a 'strain' between what they are aiming for and what they can achieve.

  
  

  -Merton uses the term 'anomie' to describe strain.

  
  

  -The working class are more likely to feel the strain.

  
  

  -This can lead to crime and deviance, if a person is deemed a 'failure', if they cannot reach their goals in legitimate ways, they then turn to crime to achieve them instead.
• What are the 5 options for individuals to reach their goals?

  -Conformity

  -Ritualism

  -Innovation

  -Retreatism

  -Rebellion
• What is conformity?

  The person accepts the goal that society sets and continues to strive for them.
• What is ritualism?

  The person accepts that they will never achieve the goals, but carries on in poverty.
• What is innovation?

  The person still strives for the material goals, but finds different ways of trying to achieve them.
• What is retreatism?

  The person rejects materialism and the career ladder and instead opt out of mainstream society (e.g. vagrants, drug addicts etc.)
• What is rebellion?

  People reject society's goals and means of achieving them, so rebel against society.
• Strain theory table.

  
• Further examples: (schools)

  Some students, following the conformist adaption, may study tirelessly with the resources they do have, aiming for scholarships and opportunities. Others might resort to innovation, possibly cheating on exams to achieve the high grades that seem to be the ticket to success.
• Further Examples: workplace

  Employees might adapt through ritualism by doing their job without any real hope for advancement, just going through the motions. On the other end, some might become retreatists, feeling so disconnected from the goals and means prescribed by society that they drop out of the workforce.
• Further examples: economy.

  When the normal means of gaining money are disrupted, crime is likely to occur and might be understood as innovative responses to strain.

  
  

  On the other hand, increased community engagement and support networks may emerge as a conformist response, adhering to societal values of of co-operation and support.

  
  

  Some may adapt the rebel adaption, advocating for systematic change to create a more equitable society
• examples in the context of crime

  Retreatism: might manifest as substance abuse or vagrancy, where individuals have retreated from both the goals and the means of society. They're often views as having 'dropped out' of the race altogether.

  Rebels: their deviation might lead to criminal behaviour, but with a different intent. They might engage in politically motivated crimes, aiming to disrupt the status quo and draw attention to their cause for societal change.
• Strengths of strain theory

  Shows how normal and deviant behaviour arise from the same goals

  Explain why most crime in statistics is property crime and why w/c crime rates are higher
• Weaknesses of strain theory

  Ignores crimes of wealthy

  Only sees deviance as an individual response

  Forces on utilitarian crime only