Robert K. Merton, an American sociologist, borrowed Durkheim's conceptof anomie to form his own theory, called Strain Theory. It differs somewhatfrom Durkheim's in that Merton argued that the real problem is not createdby a sudden social change, as Durkheim proposed, but rather by a socialstructure that holds out the same goals to all its members without givingthem equal means to achieve them. It is this lack of integration betweenwhat the culture calls for and what the structure permits that causes deviantbehavior. Deviance then is a symptom of the social structure. Merton borrowedDurkheim's notion of anomie to describe the breakdown of the normativesystem.
Merton's theory does not focus upon crime persay, but rather upon variousacts of deviance, which may be understood to lead to criminal behavior.Merton notes that there are certain goals which are strongly emphasizedby society. Society emphasizes certain means to reach those goals (suchas education, hard work, etc.,) However, not everyone has the equal accessto the legitimate means to attain those goals. The stage then is set foranomie/strain.
Merton presents five modes of adapting to strain caused by the restrictedaccess to socially approved goals and means. He did not mean that everyonewho was denied access to society's goals became deviant. Rather the response,or modes of adaptation, depend on the individual's attitudes toward culturalgoals and the institutional means to attain them. The conformistis the most common mode of adaptation. Such individuals accept both thegoals as well as the prescribed means for achieving the goal. Conformistswill accept, though not always achieve, the goals of society and the meansapproved for achieving them. Innovators accept societal goals buthave few legitimate means to achieve those goals, thus they innovate (design)their own means to get ahead. The means to get ahead may be through robbery,embezzlement or other such criminal acts. Ritualists, the thirdadaptation, abandon the goals they once believed to be within their reachand thus dedicate themselves to their current lifestyle. They play by therules and have a daily, safe routine. Retreatists, the fourth fifthadaptation is given to those who give up not only the goals but also themeans. They often retreat into the world of alcoholism and drug addiction.These individuals escape into a nonproductive, nonstriving lifestyle. Thefinal adaptation, that of rebel, occurs when the cultural goalsand the legitimate means are rejected. Individuals create their own goalsand their own means, by protest or revolutionary activity.
| Adaptation | Means -- Goal |
| Conformist | Accepts -- Accepts |
| Innovator | Rejects -- Accepts |
| Ritualist | Accepts -- Rejects |
| Retreatist | Rejects -- Rejects |
| Rebel | Revolts/Creates New |
FAQs
Merton identified five ways in which individuals may respond to this strain or frustration: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
What are 3 responses to strain theory? ›
Ritualism: using the same socially approved means to achieve less elusive goals (more modest and humble). Retreatism: to reject both the cultural goals and the means to obtain it, then find a way to escape it. Rebellion: to reject the cultural goals and means, then work to replace them.
What are the basic assumptions of Merton's strain theory? ›
Strain theories are generally macrolevel theories, and they share several core assumptions: first, the idea that social order is the product of a generally cohesive set of norms; second, that those norms are widely shared by community members; and third, that deviance and community reactions to deviance are essential ...
What best explains strain theory? ›
Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors increase the likelihood of crime. These strains lead to negative emotions, such as frustration and anger. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response.
What are the 5 points of strain theory? ›
According to Merton, there are five types of deviance based upon these criteria: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion.
What are 5 examples of strain theory? ›
Examples include parental rejection, child abuse, bullying, loss of job, loss of a loved one, discrimination, and criminal victimization. However, the characteristics of some strains are more likely to lead to crime.
What are the arguments against strain theory? ›
Strain theory has received several criticisms, such as: Strain theory best applies only to the lower class as they struggle with limited resources to obtain their goals. Strain theory fails to explain white collar crime, the perpetrator of whom have many opportunities to achieve through legal and legitimate means.
What are the six factors in structural strain theory? ›
Structural-strain theory posits that social movements arise as a result of six factors: structural conduciveness, structural strain, growth and spread of a solution, precipating factors, lack of social control, and mobilization.
How does strain theory explain deviance? ›
Strain Theory of Deviance
Strain theory, developed by sociologist Robert Merton, posits that when people are prevented from achieving culturally approved goals through institutional means, they experience strain or frustration that can lead to deviance.
Which two elements are most important to Merton's strain theory? ›
American sociologist Robert K. Merton developed strain theory, a concept connected to both the functionalist perspective on deviance and Émile Durkheim's theory of anomie. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects: culture and social structure.
Merton in the 1940s. It suggests that an individual's inability to achieve culturally valued goals causes frustration, which can lead to deviant, and often illegal behavior. An example of strain theory is someone turning to crime to earn money after losing their job.
What are the two issues of concern in Merton's strain theory? ›
The two issues of concern in Merton's strain theory are: acceptance of cultural goals and whether the accepted goals are prosocial or antisocial.
What is the strength of strain theory? ›
A strength of general strain theory for understanding group differences in offending is in its ability to consider how structural arrangements and cultural beliefs coalesce to predict offending rates across groups.
Why is the strain theory important? ›
Strain Theory attempts to explain why crime is resolute amongst the lower classes who are subjected to the least opportunities for economic achievement (O' Connor 2007). It focuses on the positions that individuals occupy in a social system, not on the characteristics of the individual.
Why is strain theory a good theory? ›
Summary. General strain theory (GST) provides a unique explanation of crime and delinquency. In contrast to control and learning theories, GST focuses explicitly on negative treatment by others and is the only major theory of crime and delinquency to highlight the role of negative emotions in the etiology of offending.
What are the 4 major types of strain? ›
Strain can be of four different types, and the direction of application of forces generally defines them. The four types of strain are longitudinal strain, lateral strain, volumetric strain and shear strain.
What is a criticism of Merton's theory? ›
Criticism of Merton's Strain Theory
Some research finds that there are not particularly high delinquency rates between those with the greatest gap between aspirations and expectations — those with low aspirations and low expectations had the highest offense rates.
Is the strain theory reliable? ›
General strain theory has much support and has established itself as one of the leading theories of crime. In particular, there is much evidence that the strains identified by the theory impact crime and that they do so partly through negative emotions.
What are the limitations of strain theory? ›
Earlier versions of strain theory have been criticized for focusing on a narrow range of possible strains, for their inability to explain why only some strained individuals resort to crime or delinquency, and for limited empirical support. GST has been partly successful in overcoming these limitations.
What is the strongest criticism of strain theory? ›
One of the major criticisms is the fact that the strain theory is based on weak empirical support. Scholars have argued that the strain theory was improperly measured suggesting that the main concept of the strain theory was improperly measured in previous research (Burton & Cullen, 1992).
Structural strain theory is a method of understanding crime. It argues that structures within society result in strain, or pressures, that cause people to commit crimes.
Is strain theory macro or micro? ›
Strain Theory. Some criminologists view strain theory as a macro-level theory that explains variation in crime rates across space and time. Others find in strain theory an explanation for variation in crime among individuals, a micro-level perspective.
What is an example of strain theory crime? ›
Robert Merton's strain theory states that acceptance or rejection of cultural goals and/or institutionalized means of achieving those goals are the determining factors of crime. For example, one who accepts the goal of wealth but cannot get a legal job will turn to illegal means of earning money.
How does strain theory explain violence? ›
Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors increase the likelihood of violence. These strains upset individuals, creating pressure for corrective action.
What do strain theorists argue is the main cause of crime in society? ›
In short, strain theory posits that the cultural values and social structures of society put pressure on individual citizens to commit crime.
What is one thing all forms of strain theory have in common? ›
Strain Theories
The one thing that all forms of strain theory have in common is the emphasis that is placed on a sense of frustration in crime causation, hence the name “strain” theories.
What is role strain in real life example? ›
An example of role strain is a teacher who suddenly has more students in the classroom, beyond the number that the teacher is comfortable handling. The teacher feels role strain.
What is general strain theory Merton? ›
Agnew constructed general strain theory by building upon the work of prior strain theorist, Robert Merton. Merton posited that crime was caused by strain, the difference between one's economic aspirations and their actual means of achieving those aspirations (Merton, 1938).
What problem would Merton see with belief in the American dream? ›
Merton believed that all United States citizens believed and strived for the “American Dream”; however, the ways in which citizens obtain the “American Dream” of success are not the same, simply because not all citizens have the same opportunities and advantages.
What is the most important drawback of Merton's theory? ›
Which of the following is the most important drawback of Merton's theory? It overlooks deviance by the middle and upper classes and also fails to explain crimes that usually are not done for economic reasons.
One weakness of Merton's theory of anomie/strain is that it does not provide a good explanation for economic crimes.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the General Strain Theory? ›
Some empirical evidence regarding general strain theory shows a strong correlate between negative emotions (anger) caused by strain and criminal activity. However, General Strain Theory fails to explain why some individuals who experience great amounts of strain fail to resort to illegitimate coping strategies.
What is the main focus of general strain theory? ›
General Strain theory, according to Agnew (1992) “is distinguished by its focus on negative relationships with others and its insistence that such relationships lead to the delinquency through the negative affect – especially anger- they sometimes engender” (p. 49).
What are the 4 deviant responses to strain theory? ›
Innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion are deviant responses to strain. According to control theory, conformity to social norms depends on the presence of strong bonds between individuals and society. Social bonds control the behavior of people, preventing deviant acts.
What are examples of mertons strain theory? ›
Merton in the 1940s. It suggests that an individual's inability to achieve culturally valued goals causes frustration, which can lead to deviant, and often illegal behavior. An example of strain theory is someone turning to crime to earn money after losing their job.
What are the four parts of the strain theory? ›
Agnew described 4 characteristics of strains that are most likely to lead to crime: 1) strains are seen as unjust, 2) strains are seen as high in magnitude, 3) strains are associated with low social control, and 4) strains create some pressure or incentive to engage in criminal coping.
What is an example of retreatism in strain theory? ›
A drug addict whose entire existence is focused on getting more drugs would be considered a retreatist. An alcoholic who is unable to sustain a regular job and ends up homeless is another good example of retreatism.
