5. Rebellion Evaluation Strain Theory Robert K. Merton
Merton explains patterns shown in official Strain theories argue that people Functionalist Robert K. Merton developed the
Individuals reject the existing engage in deviant behaviour first theory, and adapted Durkheim’s concept of
crime statistics (most crime is property
goals of society and means, but when they are unable to anomie to explain deviance.
crime, lower-class crime rates are higher)
they replace them with new ones achieve socially approved Merton’s explanation combines two elements:
in a desire to bring about However, Criticisms include: goals by legitimate means. ● Structural factors - society’s unequal opportunity
revolutionary change and create a - Official statistics over represent People become frustrated structure.
new kind of society. Rebels working-class crime, so Merton in and resort to criminal ● Cultural factors - the strong emphasis on
include political radicals and turn sees it as a W/C happening. means of getting success goals and the weaker
counter-cultures such as hippies.
- Assumption of a value what they want, or emphasis on using legitimate
consensus, and ignores lash out at others means to achieve them.
that not everyone’s goal is in anger, or find
‘money success’. comfort for
For Merton, deviance is
4. Retreatism - Ignores group their failure
in drug use.
the result of a strain
deviance such as between two things:
Individuals reject both the goals delinquent
and the legitimate means and subcultures. 1. The goals that a culture encourages individuals
become dropouts. Merton’s
to achieve
examples of these types of
2. What the institutional structure of a society
people include:
- Psychotics - Tramps allows them to achieve illegitimately.
- Outcasts - Chronic drunkards (E.g. American culture values ‘money success’ - individual
Crime and
- Vagrants - Drug addicts material wealth and the high status that goes with it.)
Deviance -
Merton’s Strain This ideology tells anyone who makes an effort
The American
3. Ritualism Theory through self-discipline, study and educational
Individuals give up on trying to achieve the goals, Dream
but have internalised the legitimate means and so qualifications that they can succeed, and there is
they follow the rules for their own sake. equal opportunity.
However in reality due to poverty,
Deviant adaptations inadequate schools and discrimination,
to strain disadvantaged groups are denied
(This is typical of lower-middle
opportunities. The ‘strain then creates
class office workers in
2. Innovation Merton argues that an individual’s frustration and a resort to crime and
dead-end, routine jobs.)
position in the social structure affects deviance.
the way they adapt/respond to the
1. Conformity Merton calls this ‘the
Individuals accept the goal of strain of anomie. There are 5 types of
strain to anomie’.
money success but use adaptation to the strain of anomie:
‘new’, illegitimate means to Individuals accept the culturally
Response Goal Means
achieve it. As we have seen, approved goals and strive to
those at the lower end of the achieve them legitimately. Conformity + +
class structure are under
Innovation + -
greatest pressure to innovate. (This is most likely among middle-class
Ritualism - +
individuals who have good opportunities to
achieve. Merton sees it as the typical Retreatism - -
(Examples of Innovation are dealing response of Americans.)
Rebellion -/+ -/+
drugs, theft and fraud.) (replace) (replace)
Merton explains patterns shown in official Strain theories argue that people Functionalist Robert K. Merton developed the
Individuals reject the existing engage in deviant behaviour first theory, and adapted Durkheim’s concept of
crime statistics (most crime is property
goals of society and means, but when they are unable to anomie to explain deviance.
crime, lower-class crime rates are higher)
they replace them with new ones achieve socially approved Merton’s explanation combines two elements:
in a desire to bring about However, Criticisms include: goals by legitimate means. ● Structural factors - society’s unequal opportunity
revolutionary change and create a - Official statistics over represent People become frustrated structure.
new kind of society. Rebels working-class crime, so Merton in and resort to criminal ● Cultural factors - the strong emphasis on
include political radicals and turn sees it as a W/C happening. means of getting success goals and the weaker
counter-cultures such as hippies.
- Assumption of a value what they want, or emphasis on using legitimate
consensus, and ignores lash out at others means to achieve them.
that not everyone’s goal is in anger, or find
‘money success’. comfort for
For Merton, deviance is
4. Retreatism - Ignores group their failure
in drug use.
the result of a strain
deviance such as between two things:
Individuals reject both the goals delinquent
and the legitimate means and subcultures. 1. The goals that a culture encourages individuals
become dropouts. Merton’s
to achieve
examples of these types of
2. What the institutional structure of a society
people include:
- Psychotics - Tramps allows them to achieve illegitimately.
- Outcasts - Chronic drunkards (E.g. American culture values ‘money success’ - individual
Crime and
- Vagrants - Drug addicts material wealth and the high status that goes with it.)
Deviance -
Merton’s Strain This ideology tells anyone who makes an effort
The American
3. Ritualism Theory through self-discipline, study and educational
Individuals give up on trying to achieve the goals, Dream
but have internalised the legitimate means and so qualifications that they can succeed, and there is
they follow the rules for their own sake. equal opportunity.
However in reality due to poverty,
Deviant adaptations inadequate schools and discrimination,
to strain disadvantaged groups are denied
(This is typical of lower-middle
opportunities. The ‘strain then creates
class office workers in
2. Innovation Merton argues that an individual’s frustration and a resort to crime and
dead-end, routine jobs.)
position in the social structure affects deviance.
the way they adapt/respond to the
1. Conformity Merton calls this ‘the
Individuals accept the goal of strain of anomie. There are 5 types of
strain to anomie’.
money success but use adaptation to the strain of anomie:
‘new’, illegitimate means to Individuals accept the culturally
Response Goal Means
achieve it. As we have seen, approved goals and strive to
those at the lower end of the achieve them legitimately. Conformity + +
class structure are under
Innovation + -
greatest pressure to innovate. (This is most likely among middle-class
Ritualism - +
individuals who have good opportunities to
achieve. Merton sees it as the typical Retreatism - -
(Examples of Innovation are dealing response of Americans.)
Rebellion -/+ -/+
drugs, theft and fraud.) (replace) (replace)
