Merton crime and deviance is a consequence of a poor. Merton narrowed the focus and extended the theory to the united states in his 1938 article social structure and anomie. While mertons theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. He made this assumption after looking at us culture, the structure of the country, and the various strains that were placed upon it. A etzioni, p marcus, rk merton, a reiss, jq wilson, h white.
The word anomie derives from the greek word arwmia, meaning lawlessness or. Merton was an american sociologist that wrote in the 1930s putting out his first major strain theory i have chosen to write about robert mertons strain theory. This was just one of his theories which gained prominence amongst social science circles and beyond. Merton argues that the american dream is solely based on monetary success and the belief that the american society is meritocratic if you work hard enough you can all be successful and rich. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by robert k. Along with mertons theoretical reformulations since 1938 and its extensions by others, the theoretical approach has now been broadened as comprising an anomie theory and a distinct strain theory. Strain theory merton is a functionalist and a study of the american dream led to the creation of strain theory. This theory traces the origins of deviance to the tensions that are caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology. Merton, whose work on the subject became especially influential in the 1950s.
Although keeping merton s five modes of adaption, agnew provided a rationale for why. Strain theory was created from the work of durkheim and merton and derived from the theory of anomie. Along with merton s theoretical reformulations since 1938 and its extensions by others, the theoretical approach has now been broadened as comprising an anomie theory and a distinct strain theory. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects. Agnews general strain theory university of illinois springfield. Strain theory criminology robert merton criminal justice. Merton was an american sociologist that wrote in the 1930s putting out his first major strain theory i have chosen to. The theory states that when society does not provide the necessary legitimate and legal means that allow. In its simplest understanding, the strain theory asserts that there are certain factors in the society such as stressors and strains that can. The revised edition of 1957 remains intact except that its short introduction has been greatly expanded to appear here as chapters i and ii. Robert merton s 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality. Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on merton s conception of anomie, delineating how specific institutions lead to conditions of anomie and criminality. It is a more elaborate formulation of a theory that applies to a society like usa, where people believe in and are committed to the pursuit of some desirable ends e.
The following page allows you grasp these ideas more fully by seeing anomie in action. Merton s theory of anomie is a borrowing but essentially different from that of durkheim. The main concept of strain theory is that the media and society insidiously tell people that they need to gain material wealth in order to achieve a certain type of respectable status and if they are poor or in an unfortunate socioeconomic. Merton harvard university t here persists a notable tendency in sociological theory to attribute the malfunctioning of social structure primarily to those of mans imperious biological drives which are not adequately restrained by social control. Mertons strain theory is a modern day example of environmental aspects of why people commit crime. Robert mertons 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality.
Merton who, in his discussion of deviance, proposed a typology of deviant behavior. One of the major weaknesses of early versions of strain theory was that, following mertons general lead, success was conceived and measured in largely. Robert merton and adaptations to anomiestrain informed by durkheims writing on anomie, robert k. All strain theories acknowledge that only a minority of strained individuals turn to crime. However, mertons strain theory endured several unanswered criticisms. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology tutor2u. Merton s strain theory is an important contribution to the study of crime and deviance in the 1940s it helped to explain why crime continued to exist in countries, such as america, which were experiencing increasing economic growth and wealth. Merton uses the concept of social facts as determinant in cultural goals, in this case the american dream. Anomie theory, general strain theory, and relative deprivation theory have identified various types of strain which may induce delinquency and youth violence. Structural theories of deviance are similar to mertons theory. The theory states that social structures may pressure citizens to commit crimes. Merton was born in philadelphia, america in july 1910.
Merton uses the progress of achieving the american dream as an example. Merton, american sociologist whose diverse interests included the sociology of science and the professions, sociological theory, and mass communication. First, merton concentrated specifically on the lower class although persons of all. Juvenile delinquency, mertons strain theory, anomie. While the general strain theory is clearly distinct from control and differential association theory, strain may lead to low. We believe this is the most logical order in which to discuss these theories, given that messner and rosenfeld 1994 adapted mertons theory of anomie, and cloward and ohlin adapted mertons theory of strain. Mertons theory of anomie is a borrowing but essentially different from that of durkheim.
This new printing is not a newly revised edition, only an enlarged one. In the late 1930s, he went on to create his strain theory. Merton began to develop the current form of the anomie and strain theory, he made one specific assumption. As hinted earlier, the relationship is rather complex. Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social. If strain is recast entirely in the educational realm, the educa tional means in merton s original theory become both goals and means, and the central theoretical importance of economic goals is lost. Reflection on a revised strain theory of delinquency. Our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed in the cultural realm. Merton developed strain theory, a concept connected to both the functionalist perspective on deviance and emile durkheims theory of anomie. Merton social theory and social structure see other formats. Strain theory, in sociology, proposal that pressure derived from social factors, such as lack of income or lack of quality education, drives individuals to commit crime. Durkheim concentrated on the reduction of societal control and the strain that was caused at the individual level, and merton analyzed the cultural connection that is present between the individual and the standards of society.
The rationale for this reconceptualization of strain for juveniles is problematic. While durkheims concept of anomie was rather vague, merton explains the idea in quite a detailed way. Merton argued that general strain theory is developed by a blockage in an individuals life which doesnt allow them to achieve their goal, essentially leading to deviant behaviour. Merton s 1938 classic strain theory and its revisions of cohen 1955 and cloward and ohlin 1960. Merton s strain theory essay 1912 words studymode briefly outline and highlight the contribution of mertons strain theory to criminology. While the general strain theory is clearly distinct from control and differential association theory, strain may lead to low social control and association with delinquent others. Gst attempted to merge the revised theory with prior strain theories, and it drew heavily on the stress, emotions and justice literatures. While merton s theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. Oct 22, 2003 robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social.
While the revised theory attracted some attention in and of itself, it was important largely because it laid the foundation for my general strain theory gst of crime and delinquency agnew 1992, 2007. Social strain theory was developed by famed american sociologist robert k. Social theory and social structure robert king merton. Here persists a notable tendency in sociological theory to attribute the malfunctioning. It is in the realm of culture that our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed. The basic principle common to all three theories is that strain creates pressures that necessitate coping behaviours. Although keeping mertons five modes of adaption, agnew provided a rationale for why. The ideas underlying strain theory were first advanced in the 1930s by american sociologist robert k. The purpose of this exercise is to show that mertons classical. In merton s theory of strain, societies are composed of two core aspects. Anomiestrain theory chapter 4 anomiestrain theory sage. Their combined citations are counted only for the first article.
These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response agnew 1992. General strain theory gst argues that strains or stressors increase the likelihood of negative emotions like anger and frustration. Emile durkheim developed the first modern strain theory of crime and deviance, but mertons classic strain theory and its offshoots came to dominate criminology during the middle part of the 20th century. They explain the origins of deviance in terms of the position of individuals or groups in the social structure. Given this biographical background, mertons ideas begin to come to life. Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on mertons conception of anomie, delineating how specific institutions lead to.
If strain is recast entirely in the educational realm, the educa tional means in mertons original theory become both goals and means, and the central theoretical importance of economic goals is lost. Merton strain theory for merton deviance is the result of a strain between the goals that a culture encourages and how the structure of society allows them to achieve these things legitimately merton argued that in the usa the pursuit of the american dream leads to deviant and criminal behaviour. Critically evaluate strain theory and the functionalist theory of deviance and crime from the perspective of conflict, feminist and symbolic interactionist theories. Merton developed the structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. Mertons strain theory is an important contribution to the study of crime and deviance in the 1940s it helped to explain why crime continued to exist in countries, such as america, which were experiencing increasing economic growth and wealth. A rebel would be one to advocate for a violent overthrow of the government. If an individual cant achieve this, it can prove frustrating for the. Apr 16, 2016 the continuing relevance of strain theory. Journal of research in crime and delinquencyagnew general. Durkheims and mertons theory of anomie paved the way for. P r e s e n t i n gg s ta s another revision at the social psychological level, agnew. In its simplest understanding, the strain theory asserts that there are certain factors in the society such as stressors and strains that can predispose an individual to committing crime. In mertons theory of strain, societies are composed of two core aspects.