Robert Merton
STRAIN
THEORY
FUNCTIONALIST
PERSPECTIVE
Context and basics
After WW2, crime rates raised significantly. Merton conducted his
research and produced his theory of ‘strain’ in the 1940s. His work
is based on Durkheim’s work on skewed deviance. Merton
suggests that crime occurs because of value consensus of Western
society - therefore, he argues that some people lack the legitimate
means to achieve, so may turn to crime as an alternative.
Strain theory
The cultural system of the USA was built on the ‘American dream’ - a set
of meritocratic principles which gave people a goal to strive for that
would be accessible to everyone through hard work. Measurements for
success includes monetary wealth, property and material. Although
people are expected to achieve this through legitimate means, Merton
acknowledged that the societal and economic structure of the USA
limits the chance of attainment for working class individuals.
The strain develops between the goals of society and the legitimate
means to achieve them. Merton developed the concept of ‘anomie’ to
describe this imbalance between cultural goals and legitimate means.
He argued that such an imbalanced society produces anomie and social
strain. Some people then turn to crime as a way of overcoming the
strain and gaining their material goals.
Deviance typology
Merton suggests that there are 5 ways to react to the strain:
Conformity Innovation Rebellion
Ritualism Retreatism
STRAIN
THEORY
FUNCTIONALIST
PERSPECTIVE
Context and basics
After WW2, crime rates raised significantly. Merton conducted his
research and produced his theory of ‘strain’ in the 1940s. His work
is based on Durkheim’s work on skewed deviance. Merton
suggests that crime occurs because of value consensus of Western
society - therefore, he argues that some people lack the legitimate
means to achieve, so may turn to crime as an alternative.
Strain theory
The cultural system of the USA was built on the ‘American dream’ - a set
of meritocratic principles which gave people a goal to strive for that
would be accessible to everyone through hard work. Measurements for
success includes monetary wealth, property and material. Although
people are expected to achieve this through legitimate means, Merton
acknowledged that the societal and economic structure of the USA
limits the chance of attainment for working class individuals.
The strain develops between the goals of society and the legitimate
means to achieve them. Merton developed the concept of ‘anomie’ to
describe this imbalance between cultural goals and legitimate means.
He argued that such an imbalanced society produces anomie and social
strain. Some people then turn to crime as a way of overcoming the
strain and gaining their material goals.
Deviance typology
Merton suggests that there are 5 ways to react to the strain:
Conformity Innovation Rebellion
Ritualism Retreatism
