Robert merton strain theory
Robert Merton's strain theory is a sociological theory that explains deviant behavior and criminal activity as a result of the strain or tension caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means to achieve those goals. According to Merton, societies have culturally defined goals such as wealth, success, and status, and individuals are socialized to aspire to these goals.
However, not everyone has equal access to legitimate means of achieving these goals. Merton argues that structural factors, such as poverty and inequality, create a strain on individuals who are unable to achieve these goals through legitimate means. This strain leads to a state of anomie, where individuals experience a disconnection from societal norms and values.
In response to this strain, individuals may engage in different modes of adaptation. Merton identified five possible modes: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity involves accepting both the cultural goals and the means to achieve them, while innovation involves accepting the goals but using illegitimate means to achieve them. Ritualism involves rejecting or giving up on the goals but continuing to follow the means, while retreatism involves rejecting both the goals and the means. Rebellion, the final mode, involves rejecting both the goals and the means and seeking to replace them with alternative goals and means.
Merton's strain theory has been influential in understanding deviant behavior, especially in relation to crime, and has been applied to various areas of sociological research, such as juvenile delinquency and drug abuse. It suggests that addressing structural factors and providing equal access to legitimate means can reduce the strain and ultimately reduce deviant behavior in society.