Merton's strain theory
- Created by: KimberleyStorey
- Created on: 12-03-16 21:02
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- Merton's strain theory
- Merton uses his theory to explain the patterns of deviance and the different types depend on an individuals reaction to the strain
- Retreatism- This is when individuals reject the goals and become drop outs
- Rebellion- This is when individuals reject the existing goals but create their own goals to form a rebellion
- Ritualism- This is when individuals give up on achieving mainstream goals but have internalised them so stay in dead end jobd
- Innovation- This is when individuals accept the mainstram goals but find new ways to achieve them such as theft
- Conformity- This is when individuals accept mainstream goals and try to gain them through the normal means
- Merton developed Durkheim's theory of anomie to explain deviance
- Merton uses the American Dream to explain his theory
- Merton does not explain crime which does not have a financial profit
- Merton's theory combines structural factors and cultural factors
- Structural factors- Societies have unequal opportunity structure
- Does explain why crime rates are lower in countries such as Japan
- Cultural factors- The strong emphasise on success goals and the weak emphasise on the normal ways to achieve them
- Structural factors- Societies have unequal opportunity structure
- The American Dream expects people to achieve this through doing well in education and having a good career
- Some individuals do not achieve the American Dream because they are denied opportunities so turn to deviance to achieve their goals
- This is the strain to anomie, this is when individuals are under pressure to reach goals which they feel like they cannot so turn to deviance
- Merton uses deviance as a strain between the goals that common culture wants individuals to achieve and the institutional structure of society which allows them to achieve their goals
- People that want to achieve goals but cannot do this due to laws and this is when deviance occurs
- Merton uses his theory to explain the patterns of deviance and the different types depend on an individuals reaction to the strain
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