Mertons concept of strain refers to pressure the lower economic classes feel when they try to achieve societys goals of monetary success flynn 2009. In this study, mertons strain theory is applied to the delinquent. Merton crime and deviance is a consequence of a poor. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects. The rationale for this reconceptualization of strain for juveniles is problematic. How important and relevant is mertons strain theory. Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social. Social structures provide, or fail to provide, the means for people to achieve those goals. Using a sample of 8,338 adolescents from a southern state, we use a structural equations model to test a hypothesized sequence ultimately leading to delinquent behavior. Merton argued that general strain theory is developed by a blockage in an individuals life which doesnt allow them to achieve their goal, essentially leading to deviant behaviour.
Merton, whose work on the subject became especially influential in the 1950s other researchers set forth. This article charms in its simple rehash of mertons strain theory. 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. Empirical tests of strain theory have yielded mixed results, with the level of support varying by the measure used to operationalize strain. Encyclopedia of criminological theory sage companion. Imbalance between cultural goals and structurally available means can compel individuals into deviant behavior. Merton uses the concept of social facts as determinant in cultural goals, in this case the american dream.
Merton developed the structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. In merton s theory of strain, societies are composed of two core aspects. As hinted earlier, the relationship is rather complex. Robert merton s 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality. Merton 1938 concluded that americans were socialised into believing in the american dream. Our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed in the cultural realm. Merton uses the progress of achieving the american dream as an example. Strain theory, in sociology, proposal that pressure derived from social factors, such as lack of income or lack of quality education, drives individuals to commit crime.
Mertons socialstructural strain theory presumes that the united states market economy of the. Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors lead to negative emotions, which create pressure for corrective action. 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. The ideas underlying strain theory were first advanced in the 1930s by american sociologist robert k. Agnew kept merton s five adaptations to strain but expanded upon merton s theory by providing a rationale for why individuals choose one adaptation over another agnew, 1992. Merton s five adaptations to strain are conforming, innovating, retreating, ritualizing, and rebelling merton, 1938. Weak empirical support criticisms of merton and strain theory general strain rowan university lawj 05369 spring 2015. Merton s theory of anomie explains how people may involve in criminal activities by illegitimate opportunities for achieving desired goals in a. As a result we see strain being put on certain individuals and coping strategies emerging such as crime. Coupled with the humorous ice cream and too fat for pants analogy an old yet tried and true theory gains an unusual foothold. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent. Mertons structural strain theory culture establishes goals for people.
A onesided focus on mertons strain theory in the secondary literature has unnecessarily restricted the power and effectiveness of mertons anomie theory. The first and the most in line with mertons 1938 classic strain theory is the inabil. As the efficacy of this theory has periodically been questioned, this study addresses some of the methodological and theoretical issues associated with structural. Durkheims and mertons theory of anomie paved the way for the creation of subcultural theories of crime and deviance. According to merton, the american dream effectively put strain on individuals to attain lofty goals without any emphasis on the legitimate means. It has been translated into close to 20 languages and is one of the most frequently cited texts in social sciences. Cloward and ohlin 1960, agnews 1992 general strain theory gst emphasizes how negative.
General strain theory and prescription drug misuse among. According to merton, the innovator, is the one we see engaging in criminal activity. Schkolnick function not purpose or motivation an effect. P r e s e n t i n gg s ta s another revision at the social psychological level, agnew. A onesided focus on mertons strain theory in the secondary literature has unnecessarily restricted the power and effectiveness of.
Crime is one possible response, especially when people lack the ability to cope in a legal manner. Instruction manual for the structured clinical interview for dsmiiir scid. While the general strain theory is clearly distinct from control and differential association theory, strain may lead to low social control and association with delinquent others. Mertons strain theory is a modern day example of environmental aspects of why people commit crime. Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on merton s conception of anomie, delineating how specific institutions lead to conditions of anomie and criminality. Chapter 4 anomie strain theory 3 strain theories are generally macrolevel theories, and they share several core assumptions. Social theory and social structure was a landmark publication in sociology by robert k. In simple terms, where societies measure success and, by. Robert merton s 1957 theories of anomie is the most widely examined theory of criminality. If an individual cant achieve this, it can prove frustrating for the. The following page allows you grasp these ideas more fully by seeing anomie in action. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. In sociology and criminology, strain theory states that social structures within society may.
Although keeping mertons five modes of adaption, agnew provided a rationale for why. These are developed in response to the existing social structure of society, which is supposed to provide the means for us to achieve our goals and. A rebel would be one to advocate for a violent overthrow of the government. This file contains additional information such as exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it.
Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals such as the american dream, though they lack the means. Merton s structural strain theory states that people experience tension when a society does not provide adequate and approved means for achieving culturally valued goals. This leads to strain which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a. They use illegitimate and illegal ways to get to where they are. 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. Merton used durkheims principle of anomie to form his own theory, called strain theory. The main concept of strain theory is that the media and society insidiously tell people that they need to gain material wealth in order to achieve a certain type of respectable status and if they are poor or in an unfortunate socioeconomic. Strain theory was first developed by robert merton in the 1940s to. As devised by agnew in stability and change in crime over the lifecourse and foundation for a general strain theory of crime, general strain theory identifies three categories of strain that can lead to crime. Page 5 of 17 encyclopedia of criminological theory.
Merton felt that in society, people were focused on achieving high financial success which although exceptionally productive on one hand, on the other was a direct source of stress and. Society has two main features, as outlined by structural functionalism, cultural structure prescribed goals and legal attainment and the social structure patterned. Illustrating with the theory of role set 1, merton showed that broad theoretical orientation of great classicists, be it marx, sorokin or parsons, cannot adequately account for such. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Merton argued that anomie is not produced by significant social change, however rather by a social structure that holds the very same goals to all its members without providing them equivalent methods to attain them. Robert mertons ideas on strain theory and particularly the adaptation of innovation can be easily seen in many. Merton s strain theory quickly became one of the more popular crime and deviance positions. However, equal access to those goals did not exist. 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.
For example, drug dealers who are rich criminals who acquire wealth through illegal activites. Robert mertons strain theory stems from a fundamental question that he. Robert merton presented two not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the socialstructureandanomie paradigm. Merton, an important figure in early american sociology, created what is considered to be one of the most important theories of deviance within the discipline. From the point of view of sociologists, finding new perspectives for viewing honored theories keeps the material fresh in our minds. 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. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by robert k. 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. Merton, robert k social structure and anomie external restraint by circumscribing the goals that can be legitimately aspired to.
Levels of suicide are likely to increase when norms weaken and fail to fulfill this critical function, a condition which durkheim referred to as anomie. General strain theory gst argues that strains or stressors increase the likelihood of negative emotions like anger and frustration. Cohen, and cloward and ohlin argue that the cultural system encourages everyone to pursue the ideal goals of monetary. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response agnew 1992. It is in the realm of culture that our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed. Merton strain theory individual level gap between economic aspirations which all are encouraged to pursue and structural reality limited opportunity powerpoint ppt presentation free to view. Pdf robert k mertons theory of anomie and crime in. Merton s strain theory argued deviation from social norms is a result of the strain a person feels when theyre unable to achieve legitimately legally. Merton s 1938 classic strain theory and its revisions of cohen 1955 and cloward and ohlin 1960. Merton s macrolevel theory of social structure and anomie has evolved into an individuallevel strain theory that roots crime in the experience of blocked access to desired success goals.