Robert Merton's strain theory is a sociological theory that explains the relationship between social structure and deviance. According to Merton, when individuals are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means, they may turn to deviant behaviors as a way of achieving thosegoals.
Merton identified five ways in which individuals may respond to this strain or frustration: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, andrebellion.
Conformity occurs when individuals accept the goals of society and the means of achievingthem.
Innovation occurs when individuals accept the goals of society but not the means of achieving them, and instead turn to illegal or illegitimate means to achieve theirgoals.
Ritualism occurs when individuals reject the goals of society but continue to follow the prescribed means of achievingthem.
Retreatism occurs when individuals reject both the goals and the means of achieving them, and instead turn to a life of withdrawal orescape.
Rebellion occurs when individuals reject both the goals and the means of achieving them and work to transform the existing socialstructure.
Merton's strain theory has been influential in the field of sociology and has been widely applied to the study of deviance andcrime.
