General strain theory gst is usually tested by examining the effect of strain on. Agnew constructed general strain theory by building upon the work of prior strain theorist, robert merton. It has been translated into close to 20 languages and is one of the most frequently cited texts in social sciences. Sep 24, 20 mertons strain theory 1938 in this theory people do crime when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate or legal means for example people might well become frustrated and resort to criminal means of getting what they want, or lash out at others in anger, or find comfort in their failure in drug use 3. The strain theory robert merton 19102003 argued that society may be set up in a way that encourages too much deviance. Critically evaluate strain theory and the functionalist theory of deviance and crime from the perspective of conflict, feminist and symbolic interactionist theories. Social theory and social structure was a landmark publication in sociology by robert k. Merton defines culture as an organized set of normative values governing behavior which is common to members of a designated society or group. He committed countless crimes, including murders and tax fraud, to achieve the american dream. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social.
Terminology someone who resists, rejects, or rises in arm s against the government or authoritative figure. His approach involves looking at how people accept reject or redefine our cultural goals according to the means available to them in accepting those goals. They use illegitimate and illegal ways to get to where they are. What we need, therefore, is a theory that builds on the strengths weve just noted and finds ways of eliminating or.
P r e s e n t i n gg s ta s another revision at the social psychological level, agnew. May 20, 2015 the strain theory robert merton 19102003 argued that society may be set up in a way that encourages too much deviance. Merton strain theory for merton deviance is the result of a strain between the goals that a culture encourages and how the structure of society allows them to achieve these things legitimately merton argued that in the usa the pursuit of the american dream leads to deviant and criminal behaviour. Robert agnew developed general strain theory believing merton s theory was too vague. If strain is recast entirely in the educational realm, the educa tional means in mertons original theory become both goals and means, and the central theoretical importance of economic goals is lost. Merton believed that when societal norms, or socially accepted goals place pressure on the individual to conform they force the individual to either work within the structure society has produced, or instead, become members. Terminology someone who resists, rejects, or rises in arms against the government or authoritative figure. Being a sociologist, mertons anomie or strain theory also attempts to rationalise and understand crime from such a social perspective. Offering examples of previous integration efforts, we maintain that mertons theoretical model can benefit from the input of other theories of crime. In mertons words inequality of opportunity rooted in the class system undermines the integrity of the culture and leads to anomie or normlessness. How is the general strain theory different from mertons strain theory. Mertons strain theory shows us that the offender understood the norms of society but could not at. Adaptation i, which entails conforming to both culture norms and means, is the most common. If strain is recast entirely in the educational realm, the educa tional means in merton s original theory become both goals and means, and the central theoretical importance of economic goals is lost.
While durkheims concept of anomie was rather vague, merton explains the idea in quite a detailed way. Strain theory research papers on the root of criminal acts. The rationale for this reconceptualization of strain for juveniles is problematic. In 1994 he was awarded the national medal of science for his. The ideas of innovation are present in the ideas of belief within the social control theory.
He spent most of his career teaching at columbia university, where he attained the rank of university professor. In mertons 1938 strain theory social structures account for the criminal tendencies found in offenders. Here persists a notable tendency in sociological theory to attribute the malfunctioning. Feb 02, 2011 robert merton and deviant behavior an explanation of strain theory and merton s typology of deviance mar 4, 2009 peter lista typology of deviance wikimedia commons robert merton s views on deviant behavior, or strain theory, as well as his typology of deviance, has defined a longstanding paradigm in sociological research. Robert mertons strain theory stems from a fundamental question that he posed on why the rates of deviance.
All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Mertons strain theory 1938 in this theory people do crime when they are unable to achieve socially approved goals by legitimate or legal means for example people might well become frustrated and resort to criminal means of getting what they want, or lash out at others in anger, or find comfort in their failure in drug use 3. A subculture is a group of people with a culture that differentiates them. Mertons strain theory is basically an explanation of why people commit crime. Mertons strain theory is an important contribution to the study of crime and deviance in the 1940s it helped to explain why crime continued to exist in countries, such as america, which were experiencing increasing economic growth and wealth.
In light of this comment it is the purpose of this write up to explain the occurrence of deviance in society using the strain theory. In this article, merton set forth a theoretical framework for. Merton s theory on deviance stems from his 1938 analysis of the relationship between culture, structure and anomie. We see mertons influence on social control theory and can clearly see how one idea led to the next. Discuss how robert mertons strain theory fits into the functionalist theory of deviance and crime. In simple terms, where societies measure success and, by. The ones marked may be different from the article in the profile. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In mertons social strain theory research papers, writers present five modes of adapting to strain caused by the restricted access to socially approved goals and means.
Robert merton published his social structure and anomie in 1938. Merton s strain theory al capone, a notorious mafia boss, was an immigrant to the us. This theory traces the origins of deviance to the tensions that are caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals. While mertons theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. Strain theory sociology project gutenberg selfpublishing. In the history of modern criminology, few theories have realized the impact of mertons 1983 theory of strain and deviance. Merton crime and deviance is a consequence of a poor. Chapter 4 anomiestrain theory 3 strain theories are generally macrolevel theories, and they share several core assumptions.
Robert agnew argued that strain theory could still be a key theory within crime and deviance but it had to loosen its ties to social class and refocus on norms. Norms and accepted goals place pressure on societies members. Merton 1938 concluded that americans were socialised into believing in the american dream. However, equal access to those goals did not exist. He predicted that most criminals fall into the innovator category, which does explain the majority of shoplifting cases. It has withstood a halfcentury despite a sizeable amount of literature opposed to its theoretical basis. While durkheim s concept of anomie was rather vague, merton explains the idea in quite a detailed way. Society has two main features, as outlined by structural functionalism, cultural structure prescribed goals and legal attainment and the social structure patterned social relationships which exist in differing levels of integration. Strain theory merton is a functionalist and a study of the american dream led to the creation of strain theory. He did not mean that everyone who is denied access to societys goals became deviant. Second, merton did not articulate the types of deviances that are associated with his adaptation modes. Mertons most popular book is social theory and social structure.
Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology. Mertons social strain theory to directly address juvenile delinquency and social class. For example, if your goal is obtaining wealth, then the culturally approved. Mertons strain theory was challenged on the base of its assumption first. His name turned out to be christopher johnson mccandless. In sociology and criminology, strain theory states that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crime. In sociology and criminology, strain theory states that social structures within society may. The strain to succeed without the proper means, leads to criminal activity.
Strain theory in relation to crime strain causes people to act against the law, breaking laws to attain their means. However, mertons strain theory endured several unanswered criticisms. It argues individuals may commit crime due to emotion and not financial gain. Merton argues that the american dream is solely based on monetary success and the belief that the american society is meritocratic if you work hard enough you can all be successful and rich. Mertons strain theory al capone, a notorious mafia boss, was an immigrant to the us.
American sociologists richard cowan and lloyd ohlin extended robert k. Merton harvard university t here persists a notable tendency in sociological theory to attribute the malfunctioning of social structure primarily to those of mans imperious biological drives which are not adequately restrained by social control. The findings suggest that mertons strain theory has no or little explanatory power on assault, school delinquency, public disturbance, and miscellaneous minor offenses. Savannah state university theories of criminal behavior prof. Cohen 1955, richard cloward and lloyd ohlin 1960, neil smelser 1963, robert agnew 1992, and steven messner and richard rosenfeld 1994. With this in mind, merton expands on his strain theory and outlines the possible responses an individual may have to their social environment. While merton s theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society.
Instead the response or modes of adaptation depend on the individuals attitudes toward. It has been translated into close to 20 languages and is one of. Merton posited that crime was caused by strain, the difference between ones economic aspirations and their actual means of achieving those aspirations merton, 1938. Mertons theory on strain and anomie provides us with reasons for why the offender committed the crime break and enter. The notion of universal success goal was counteracted with the notion of diverse american society. They reject society s goals and means of achievement. In the last decade, robert agnews general strain theory gst of delinquency has received considerable empirical attention, with most studies yielding favorable evidence. Social structure and anomie 675 thus, in competitive athletics, when the aim of victory is shorn of its institutional trappings and success in contests becomes construed as win ning the game rather than winning through circumscribed modes of activity, a premium. The definition of strain theory is when people feel strain when they are unable to obtain a cultural goal because they do not have access to culturally approved means of achieving those goals. Individuals adjust to societal pressures in five distinct ways. However, mertons strain theory fits well with explaining the majority of shoplifting. These are the sources and citations used to research merton. Brooks march 4, 2012 since the beginning of mankind criminality has been a major problem and the most debated topic of interest by theorist on the grounds of why crime is committed, who is more prone to commit crime, and what prevents people from. Merton developed the structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance.
One aspect of gst neglected by researchers, however, concerns its ability to explain why certain demographic variables are related to delinquency. Four months later his decomposed body was found by a party of moose hunters. Social structure and anomie 675 thus, in competitive athletics, when the aim of victory is shorn of its institutional trappings and success in contests becomes construed as win ning the game rather than winning through circumscribed modes of activity, a premium is implicitly set upon the use of illegitimate but tech. For example, drug dealers who are rich criminals who acquire wealth through illegal activites. Recently a revisionist view of strain theory s empirical adequacy has emerged which holds that the theory s explanatory power depends on how it is operationalized. Strain theory states that social structures within society may pressure citizens to commit crimes. This leads to strain which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a means to. The functionalist perspective on deviance boundless. Merton has 32 books on goodreads with 7735 ratings. Recently a revisionist view of strain theorys empirical adequacy has emerged which holds that the theorys explanatory power depends on how it is operationalized. May 05, 2012 one of merton s interesting theories is the social strain theory.
Apr 16, 2016 the continuing relevance of strain theory. Conformity innovators ritualism retreatism rebellion conformity bad anomie strain theory. First, merton concentrated specifically on the lower class although persons of all. Our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed in the cultural realm. He looked at america in particular, and examined the american dream discrepancy between cultural goals and the institutional means by which these goals can be achieved, forces members to either conform or deviate. Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the socialstructureand anomie paradigm. Essay on mertons strain theory 1127 words bartleby. The general strain theory developed by robert agnew introduced a new perspective on robert mertons strain theory. Strain theory how social values produce deviance social. Anomie strain theory chapter 4 anomie strain theory in april 1992, a young man from a welltodo east coast family hitchhiked to alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of mt. After strain theory a new theory called the social control theory emerged. Merged citations this cited by count includes citations to the following articles in scholar. The ideology that societal structure and strain from injustice in the system can lead an individual astray from the path of social norms intrigues me. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects.
General strain theory gst is usually tested by examining the effect of strain on crime. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology tutor2u. Merton s 1938 classic strain theory and its revisions of cohen 1955 and cloward and ohlin 1960. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by robert k. Mertons strain theory theory and methods a2 sociology. Violence in these circumstances may be a way to cope. Agnews general strain theory university of illinois springfield. Robert merton and deviant behavior an explanation of strain theory and mertons typology of deviance mar 4, 2009 peter lista typology of deviance wikimedia commons robert mertons views on deviant behavior, or strain theory, as well as his typology of deviance, has defined a longstanding paradigm in sociological research. Robert merton theory of deviance in his theory, which, is an adaptation of durkheims earlier theory of anomie, merton suggests that for most, deviance and criminality does not stem from pathological. The writer will define the terms values, deviance and the strain theory and make illustrations how the theory explains the occurrence of deviance giving. Following on the work of emile durkheim, strain theories have been advanced by robert king merton 1957, albert k.
Oct 18, 2019 strain theory explains deviant behavior as an inevitable outcome of the distress individuals experience when theyre deprived of ways to achieve culturally valued goals. With an adult community sample, we empirically assess three separate measures of strain to explain selfreported crime. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals such as the american dream, though they lack the means. In 1998 the international sociological association listed this work as the third most important sociological book of the 20th century. For example, western society places value on economic success, even though wealth is accessible to just a small percentage of people. They reject societys goals and means of achievement. This bibliography was generated on cite this for me on tuesday, january 6, 2015.