Criminology: Merton's Strain and Anomie Theory

Introduction

• Presenter: CriminologyWeb.com
• Topic: Strain/Anomie Theory by Robert K. Merton
• Publication: "Social Structure and Anomie" (1938) by Robert K. Merton

Key Concepts

• Anomie:
  • Originates from Emile Durkheim
  • Greek meaning: Lawless
  • Refers to normlessness and a lack of moral standards

Merton's Theory Overview

• Merton's theory focuses on crime as a result of social structure, not personal background.
• Argues that societal setup causes crime, specifically through the concept of anomie.
• Relates primarily to the American context, especially the "American Dream."

The American Dream

• Emphasizes material and financial success.
• Promotes the idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work ("rags to riches").
• Issue: Not everyone has equal opportunities to achieve this success, leading to strain.

Strain Theory

• Describes the pressure to achieve societal goals with limited means, leading to crime.
• Gap: Between societal goals (middle-class success) and the means available to individuals.

Responses to Strain

Merton identifies four ways people adapt to strain:

1. Innovation

• Goal: Achieve American Dream through non-conventional means (i.e., crime).
• Typical Followers: Lower social classes lacking education or money.

2. Ritualism

• Abandon societal goals but adhere to conventional means (e.g., dead-end jobs).

3. Retreatism

• Abandon both goals and means.
• Includes outcasts, addicts, tramps.

4. Rebellion

• Reject and replace societal goals and means.
• Includes activists, hippies, terrorists.

Conformity

• Fifth Strategy: Achieving goals with legitimate means, leading to societal conformity.
• Occurs when there's no gap between goals and means.

Criticisms of Merton's Theory

1. Narrow Focus:

   • Primarily explains financial crimes and crimes by lower socio-economic classes.

2. Lack of Individual Differentiation:

   • Doesn't explain why individuals choose different responses to strain.

3. Empirical Support:

   • Limited research support for the theory.

Further Developments

• General Strain Theory: Robert Agnew
• Institutional Anomie Theory: Messner and Rosenfeld

Conclusion

• Merton's theory emphasizes the cultural and societal context in explaining crime and deviant behavior.
• Highlights the importance of examining societal pressures and the lack of means to achieve success as motivations for crime.

For more insights into criminology, visit CriminologyWeb.com or subscribe to their channel.