Merton's Strain Theory

• 2 Strengths of Strain Theory


  Strength - Merton’s theory explains how crime may increase when there is too excessive individualism in society.

  Strength - Gives reason as to why the working class may commit more crimes and have higher crime rates.
• 2 Limitations of Strain Theory 


  Limitation - Not everyone who has their aspirations blocked, turn to crime.

  Limitation - Not everyone has the same goals in life and there may not be a shared culture of success being a main goal.
• What does the theory suggest?

  Society encourages us to subscribe to goals of material success however society is unable to provide means for us all to achieve successes as not everyone can gain qualifications and jobs.
• Who are more likely to be denied material benefits?


  Working class people.

  Opportunities are blocked and they experience feelings of Strain and anomie when they strive for goals of success.
• What happens if people cannot achieve their goals?


  One - Conform and accept situation.

  Two - Innovate by adopting criminal ways to gain material success.

  Three - Become ritualistic where sight of goal is lost.

  Four - Become retreatists and drop out of conventional society.

  Five - Become rebels who become alternative, opposing goals and values rather than those promoted by society.
• Anomie


  Loss of shared principles or norms.
• Ritualistic 


  Performing in the same way.
• Retreatist


  Rejection of society's prescribed goals and conventional means of attaining them.