Oct 22, 2003 robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social. Pdf robert k mertons theory of anomie and crime in. Mertons theory of anomie explains how people may involve in criminal activities by illegitimate opportunities for achieving desired goals in a. 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.
Specifying the types of strain most likely to lead to crime and delinquency robert agnew general strain theory gst is usually tested by examining the effect of strain on crime. While mertons theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. These are developed in response to the existing social structure of society, which is supposed to provide the means for us to achieve our goals and. Merton developed strain theory, a concept connected to both the functionalist perspective on deviance and emile durkheims theory of anomie. Durkheim is the founder of anomie theory, but merton, and later agnew made changes to the theory to try to make it a general theory that could explain most types of deviance. In its simplest understanding, the strain theory asserts that there are certain factors in the society such as stressors and strains that can. A onesided focus on mertons strain theory in the secondary. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology tutor2u. The enduring theoretical significance of strain theory lies in its sociological completeness. Dec 28, 2018 i will also discuss articles on mertons strain theory, and on agnews general strain theory that expands the concept of strain.
Robert agnew developed general strain theory believing merton s theory was too vague. Strain theory criminology robert merton criminal justice. In criminology, the strain theory describes social structures inside society that may support people to carry out crime. 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. 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. While durkheims concept of anomie was rather vague, merton explains the idea in quite a detailed way. Mertons anomie theory is that most people strive to achieve culturally recognized goals. In merton s theory of strain, societies are composed of two core aspects.
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. 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. While merton s theory was based on 20 th century america, it is transferable to any contemporary, western, developed capitalist society. Apr 16, 2016 the continuing relevance of strain theory.
It argues individuals may commit crime due to emotion and not financial gain. Robert mertons 1957 theories of anomie is the most widely examined theory of criminality. When an individual in a society cannot achieve culturally approved goal via culturally approved ways, it can be stressful for him and may leads to deviant behavior. Though gst has received a significant amount of empirical support, tests of gst have focused primarily on the relationship between stress, anger, and interpersonal aggression. It is rooted in the functionalist perspective on deviance and connected to emile durkheims theory of anomie. Following the work of emile durkheim, strain theories have been supported by robert king merton, albert k. Anomie and strain theories have a long history in sociology and criminology and have. In mertons theory of strain, societies are composed of two core aspects. Critics of agnew contested that strain was far too vague and. Pdf robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in. Clarifying mertons theories of anomie and strain daniel s. Society mertons adaptations to strain albert cohen. Strain theory was developed by robert king merton in 1957, which states that, social structure of society compel an individual to commit crime.
Crime is one possible response, especially when people lack the ability to cope in a legal manner. Our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed in the cultural realm. Robert k mertons strain theory explained sociology. Since merton created strain theory, other theorists have developed on the theory. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals such as the american dream, though they lack the means. The basic principle common to all three theories is that strain creates pressures that necessitate coping behaviours. Anomiestrain theory chapter 4 anomiestrain theory sage. Merton asserted that societies are composed of two core aspects. Merton social theory and social structure see other formats. Cohen, richard cloward and lloyd ohlin, robert agnew, and steven messner and richard rosenfeld. Theoretically the paper employed mertons strain theory of crime to explain the issue of poverty, drug abuse and criminal behavior. 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.
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. Agnews general strain theory 7 while agnews general strain theory was a vast improvement over mertons strain theory, it exhibits criticisms of its own. The rationale for this reconceptualization of strain for juveniles is problematic. Strain may be structural, which refers to the processes at the societal level that filter down and affect how the individual perceives his. This reflection describes how the article revised strain theory, how i built on the article, and the research inspired by the article. Merton who, in his discussion of deviance, proposed a typology of deviant behavior. Mertons strain theory argued deviation from social norms is a result of the strain a person feels when theyre unable to achieve legitimately legally. Strain may be structural, which refers to the processes at the societal level that filter down and affect how the individual perceives his or her needs. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by robert k. Robert merton presented two, not always clearly differentiated theories in his seminal explorations on the social.
Merton crime and deviance is a consequence of a poor. Robert mertons 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality. Robert merton s 1957 theories of anomie is the most widely examined theory of criminality. Anomie theory, general strain theory, and relative deprivation theory have identified various types of strain which may induce delinquency and youth violence. Strain theory was developed by american sociologist robert k. Robinson abstract robert mertons 1957 theories of anomie and strain are among the most widely examined theories of criminality. In particular, agnew was criticized for creating a theory that was too broad agnew, 2001. Mertons strain theory quickly became one of the more popular crime and deviance positions. Robert mertons strain theory stems from a fundamental question that he posed on why the. Merton social theory and social structure by robert k. Merton narrowed the focus and extended the theory to the united states in his 1938 article social structure and anomie. The result is a deviant behaviour characterized by rebellion, retreat, ritualism, innovation, andor conformity. Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on mertons conception of anomie, delineating how specific institutions lead to.
Messner and rosenfelds 1994 theory of institutional anomie built on mertons conception. Reflection on a revised strain theory of delinquency. Critically evaluate strain theory and the functionalist theory of deviance and crime from the perspective of conflict, feminist and symbolic interactionist theories. Robert agnew on strain theory and the american society for. This paper assesses the theoretical and policy significance of one of robert mertons most influential contributions to modern sociology, the anomie or strain theory of deviant behavior. Robert mertons ideas on strain theory and particularly the adaptation of.
Agnews 1992 strain theory the american dream mertons 1938 strain theory. Robert mertons contributions to the sociology of deviance. One of the major weaknesses of early versions of strain theory was that, following mertons general lead, success was conceived and measured in largely. It states that prediction comes true because people believe in it and, in fact, make it happen. The theory states that social structures may pressure citizens to commit crimes. It is a sociological and criminological term that primarily suggests that those who cannot hope to achieve some kind of american dream will receive the constant burden of not necessarily being rejected for not achieving their goals, but not having the resources that others were.
I will also discuss articles on mertons strain theory, and on agnews general strain theory that expands the concept of strain. For although structural strain is one way to explain why deviance occurs in the context of anomie, it is not the only way. This lack of social or ethical norms places a strain on a society at local, regional, national, or global levels based on the choices made, requiring a response from the criminal justice system. Journal of research in crime and delinquencyagnew general strain theory building on the foundation of general strain theory. The role of negative emotion in general strain theory. Strain theory is a derivative of emile durkheims anomie theory, which is the theory of normlessness. Merton developed the structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. The theory which i am studying is mertons strain theory, this particular subject lies within the strain theory umbrella. The current theory that has become part of our society is proposed by us sociologist robert merton. Amasya phd gokhan koca aksaray abstract extending the studies of merton 1938. It is in the realm of culture that our values, beliefs, goals, and identities are developed. Merton 1938 concluded that americans were socialised into believing in the american dream.
The ideas underlying strain theory were first advanced in the 1930s by american sociologist robert k. Strain theories state that certain strains or stressors lead to negative emotions, which create pressure for corrective action. Another theory attributed to merton is the selffulfilling prophecy. Here persists a notable tendency in sociological theory to attribute the malfunctioning.
Durkheim is the founder of anomie theory, but merton, and later agnew made changes to the theory to try to make it a general. Discuss how robert mertons strain theory fits into the functionalist theory of deviance and crime. 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. Violence in these circumstances may be a way to cope. All strain theories acknowledge that only a minority of strained individuals turn to crime. 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. 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. Social strain theory was developed by famed american sociologist robert k. Robert merton and adaptations to anomiestrain informed by durkheims writing on anomie, robert k. Merton expanded research on anomie in his deviance theory, is widely used today in criminology when studying strain theory.
Merton was an american sociologist that wrote in the 1930s putting out his first major strain theory i have chosen to. Journal of research in crime and delinquencyagnew general. The article had some success, laying the groundwork for my general strain theory, now one of the leading explanations of crime and delinquency agnew 1992, 2007. A state of anomie develops when access to these goals is blocked to entire groups of people or individuals.
Merton s theory of anomie explains how people may involve in criminal activities by illegitimate opportunities for achieving desired goals in a. 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. In sociology and criminology, strain theory states that social structures within society may. Merton s strain theory essay 1912 words studymode briefly outline and highlight the contribution of mertons strain theory to criminology.