Functionalist Theories of Crime & Deviance - Merton | A Level Sociology

Summary

This video explores Robert K. Merton's strain theory within the context of crime and deviance, highlighting how structural inequalities lead to various adaptations in pursuit of the American Dream. Merton identifies five responses to societal strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Each response reflects differing levels of acceptance of societal goals and legitimate means. The theory underscores the impact of blocked opportunities on criminal behavior, although it has limitations in explaining crimes of passion and the complexities of modern motivations for deviance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Robert K. Merton was a key sociologist in the functionalist movement who critiqued universal functionalism.
• 😀 Merton introduced the concept of 'strain to anomie,' highlighting structural inequality's impact on crime and deviance.
• 😀 The American Dream is a shared societal goal that many aspire to, but societal guidance on achieving it is often lacking.
• 😀 Individuals respond to the strain caused by blocked opportunities in different ways, leading to five adaptations.
• 😀 Conformity involves accepting societal goals and pursuing them through legitimate means like education and hard work.
• 😀 Innovation accepts societal goals but uses illegitimate means (e.g., crime) to achieve them due to blocked opportunities.
• 😀 Ritualism acknowledges failure to achieve the American Dream while still conforming to societal norms without expectation of success.
• 😀 Retreatism involves rejecting both societal goals and legitimate means, often leading to substance abuse and withdrawal from society.
• 😀 Rebellion is characterized by the rejection of societal goals, aiming to create alternative visions of society, often through activism.
• 😀 While Merton's theory explains motivations for financial crimes, it does not account for crimes of passion or violent behaviors.

Q & A

What is Robert K. Merton known for in sociology?

Robert K. Merton is known for his influential work in the functionalist movement and for developing strain theory, which critiques functionalism and addresses the concept of structural inequality in society.

What does Merton's strain theory propose about the American Dream?

Merton's strain theory suggests that the American Dream promotes wealth and power as societal goals, but does not provide clear guidelines for achieving them, leading to criminal and deviant behavior.

How does Merton categorize the adaptations to strain?

Merton categorizes adaptations to strain into five types: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion, based on acceptance or rejection of societal goals and the means used to achieve them.

What is the response of individuals who conform to Merton's strain theory?

Individuals who conform accept the American Dream and pursue it through legitimate means, such as hard work and education, believing these will lead to success.

What characterizes the innovator adaptation to strain?

Innovators accept societal goals but resort to illegitimate means to achieve them, often due to blocked opportunities, engaging in criminal activities like robbery or organized crime.

Who are ritualists in the context of Merton's theory?

Ritualists are those who accept societal norms and continue to pursue legitimate means of success, even when they recognize they are unlikely to achieve the American Dream.

What behaviors define retreatists according to Merton?

Retreatists reject both the societal goals and means of achieving them, often leading to withdrawal from society and engagement in substance abuse or petty crimes.

What does rebellion entail in Merton's strain theory?

Rebellion involves rejecting established societal goals and means, with individuals seeking to create alternative visions of society, often through activism and protest.

How does Merton's theory relate to structural inequality?

Merton's theory highlights how structural inequality can lead to different reactions among social groups, influencing the likelihood of criminal behavior based on access to opportunities.

What are some criticisms of Merton's strain theory?

Critics argue that while Merton's theory effectively explains crimes for financial gain, it does not account for crimes of passion or violent acts that may not fit the rational framework he proposes.