Sociology crime and deviance essay plans
Evaluate the contribution of strain theories on our understanding of crime and deviance 30 marks
Intro- strain theories argue that people engage in deviant behaviour because they are unable to
achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. Eg. become frustrated so then turn to
crime.
1. Mertons strain theory - adapted to durkheim's theory of anomie to explain deviance
- Structural factors =society's unequal opportunity structure
- Cultural factors= strong emphasis on success
- American dream
- Deviates position in hierarchy affects the way they adapt-
conformity,innovation,ritualism,retreatism and rebellion.
- Eg- (rebellion)- rejects the existing societies goals and means, create a new kind of
society
Application - wall street crash 1929. Clash between aspiration and reality
Merton shows how both normal and deviant behaviours can arise from the same
mainstream goals- universality
He explains the patterns shown in official statistics reports- wc crime is higher as they
have the least opportunities
🔺 He takes Official statistics at face value . over represents wc crime and
underrepresented mc crime
🔺 Marxists would argue that the theory ignores the power of the ruling class to mask
their crimes
🔺 Assumes that there is a value consensus- that everyone strikes for money
success, deterministic
🔺Ignores group deviance
🔺Ignores crimes of violence and vandalism
2. Cohen - status frustration
- agrees with merton to an extent- deviance can also be in a group
- Wc boys
- Subcultures offer an alternative hierarchy for those who deviate and cannot earn
- Win status from peers through deviant actions
Offers an explanation for non utilitarian crime- helps to explain non economic delinquency
such as vandalism
🔺 🔺assumes that wc boys all have the same goals such as the mc. He ignores the possibility
that they do not all share the same goals.
3. Cloward and Ohlin- 3 subcultures
Agree with merton that wc youths are denied legitimate means to achieve.
However-argue that not all of them turn to utilitarian crime, some turn to violent subcultures
- criminal
- Conflict
- Retreatist
Evaluate the contribution of strain theories on our understanding of crime and deviance 30 marks
Intro- strain theories argue that people engage in deviant behaviour because they are unable to
achieve socially approved goals by legitimate means. Eg. become frustrated so then turn to
crime.
1. Mertons strain theory - adapted to durkheim's theory of anomie to explain deviance
- Structural factors =society's unequal opportunity structure
- Cultural factors= strong emphasis on success
- American dream
- Deviates position in hierarchy affects the way they adapt-
conformity,innovation,ritualism,retreatism and rebellion.
- Eg- (rebellion)- rejects the existing societies goals and means, create a new kind of
society
Application - wall street crash 1929. Clash between aspiration and reality
Merton shows how both normal and deviant behaviours can arise from the same
mainstream goals- universality
He explains the patterns shown in official statistics reports- wc crime is higher as they
have the least opportunities
🔺 He takes Official statistics at face value . over represents wc crime and
underrepresented mc crime
🔺 Marxists would argue that the theory ignores the power of the ruling class to mask
their crimes
🔺 Assumes that there is a value consensus- that everyone strikes for money
success, deterministic
🔺Ignores group deviance
🔺Ignores crimes of violence and vandalism
2. Cohen - status frustration
- agrees with merton to an extent- deviance can also be in a group
- Wc boys
- Subcultures offer an alternative hierarchy for those who deviate and cannot earn
- Win status from peers through deviant actions
Offers an explanation for non utilitarian crime- helps to explain non economic delinquency
such as vandalism
🔺 🔺assumes that wc boys all have the same goals such as the mc. He ignores the possibility
that they do not all share the same goals.
3. Cloward and Ohlin- 3 subcultures
Agree with merton that wc youths are denied legitimate means to achieve.
However-argue that not all of them turn to utilitarian crime, some turn to violent subcultures
- criminal
- Conflict
- Retreatist
