Strain Theory



Strain Theory

Answer # 1

Merton was careful to note that there were a number of ways in which individuals may adapt to the “strains” brought on by the inability to secure pecuniary success, and not all of these adaptations are deviant. In his famous typology, Merton proposed that there were a number of adaptations possible in response to social systems that have anomie and blocked opportunities (Merton, 1968). These adaptations are: innovation, in which the goals are pursued but legitimate means are eliminated and illegitimate means are used; ritualism, in which the goals are abandoned but the legitimate means are pursued; retreatism, in which the goals are abandoned as well as the means; and rebellion, in which the social structure - both goals and means - is rejected and a new structure is advocated (Merton, 1938: 672-682). A fifth adaptation is conformity, in which the goals are accepted and pursued, along with the legitimate means. Although Merton failed to articulate what factors determine which deviant adaptations will be adopted (as he acknowledges in his 1938 article), his theory predicts that rates of deviance will be greater when the level of anomie is higher and when the extent of blocked opportunities is greater.

Answer # 2

Strain from the outside environment can cause many negative feelings in an individual including defeat, despair, and fear, but the feeling that is most applicable to crime is anger (Agnew, 1992:59). Agnew asserted that individuals become angry when they blame their negative circumstances and relationships on others (Agnew, 1992:59). Anger was found to incite a person to action, lower inhibitions, and create a desire for revenge (Agnew, 1992:60). Anger and frustration may also enable the individual to justify crime (Agnew, 1995b:390). Agnew especially stressed that individuals who are subject to repetitive strain may be more likely ...