Robert Merton
CRITIQUES OF
STRAIN
THEORY
FUNCTIONALIST
PERSPECTIVE
1. Strain theory does not help explain the crimes
committed by those already rich and powerful.
e.g. Bernie Madoff.
2. Most working class people do not turn to
crime, so the theory doesn’t explain why some
people do and others don’t.
3. The theory doesn’t explain the violent crimes,
only economic.
4. Merton’s reliance on official statistics means
he overestimates the extent of working class
crime and underestimates the extent of
middle class or white collar crime. e.g. financial
fraud.
CRITIQUES OF
STRAIN
THEORY
FUNCTIONALIST
PERSPECTIVE
1. Strain theory does not help explain the crimes
committed by those already rich and powerful.
e.g. Bernie Madoff.
2. Most working class people do not turn to
crime, so the theory doesn’t explain why some
people do and others don’t.
3. The theory doesn’t explain the violent crimes,
only economic.
4. Merton’s reliance on official statistics means
he overestimates the extent of working class
crime and underestimates the extent of
middle class or white collar crime. e.g. financial
fraud.