argued that crime exists because society shares the same american dream
2 of 13
what does Merton mean by this?
by this he means to be rich, successful and fulfilled 'rags to riches'
3 of 13
what were the 5 reasons Merton argued about the ways people respond to the american dream?
conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion
4 of 13
what is conformity?
those at the top of the social structure could conform both to the goals of the american society and the legitimate means of achieving them
5 of 13
what is innovation?
mostly the w/c, turn to crimes such as robbery and gangsterism, where they conformed to the goals, but they use illegal methods of achieving them
6 of 13
what is ritualism?
mostly the lower middle class gave up on the goals and juts went through the ritual of following the legitimate means of achieving them e.g dead end jobs - office worker
7 of 13
what is retreatism?
this is where members gave up on the goals, becoming drop outs, alcoholics and drug addicts
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what is rebellion?
this is where people rejected the goals of society, and replaced them with different goals and different means of achieving them
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what is the first positive aspect of crime?
reaffirming boundaries - e.g newspaper footage of punishments
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what is the second positive aspect of crime?
changing values- tony martin killed a 16yr old boy who was stealing from his house, media was interested as it show our justice system supports criminals more than victims
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what is the third positive aspect of crime?
social cohesion- community draws together at times of hardship e.g 9/11
12 of 13
what is a negative aspects of crimes?
aomie - looting during storms in chicago
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
what is mertons strain theory?
Back
argued that crime exists because society shares the same american dream
Card 3
Front
what does Merton mean by this?
Back
Card 4
Front
what were the 5 reasons Merton argued about the ways people respond to the american dream?
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