The strain theory

The strain theory:

• Merton: Crime and deviance were evidence of a poor fit between the socially accepted goeals of society and the socially approved means of obtaining those desired goals
• The strain led to devience
• Aware that not everyone shared the same goals
• In a stratified society goals are linked to a persons position in the social structure
• the system worked well if the majority had a good chance of achieving their goals 
• However, those who could not became disenchanted with society and sought alternative behaviour

There are 5 forms of behaviour:

1. Conformity: Adhere's to both goals and means, despite the likelyhood of success
2. innovation: Accepts the goals, but uses a different way to obtain them (E.G: Crime)
3. Ritualism: The means are used by the individual, but the sight of the goal is lost
4. Retreatism: Rejects both goals and means. (E.G: Alcoholics)
5. Rebellion: Both goals and means are rejected and replaced with alternatives.

Criticism:

• Valier:  A variety of goals that people strive to attain at any one time

Illegitimate opportunity structure:

• Cloward and Ohlin: Merton had failed to apprichate that there was a parallel opportunity structure to the legal one called the 'Illegitimate opportunity structure'

There are three possible adaptations or subcultures:

1. Criminal:  Thriving local criminal subculture, with role models
2. Conflict:   There is no criminal subculture to provide careers so they turn to violence - (E.G: Gangs)
3. Retreatist:   There is no opportunity or engagement so they turn to alcohol and drugs

Status frustration:

• Cohen: Offending behaviour was not economically motivated, but simply done for the thrill of the act
• Lower-class boys attempted to emulate middle-class boys, but…