Theories of Deviance Deviance is any behavior that violates social norms, and is usually of sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from the majority of society. The sociological discipline that deals with crime (behavior that violates laws) is criminology (also known as criminal justice). 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. Some sociologists, however, question his concept of "deviance," arguing that deviance is a social construct. The strain theory is a theory created by sociologist Robert Merton (1956,1968). Merton argues that this produces a ‘strain to anomie’ that may result in innovation, ritualism, retreatism or rebellion. Ritualism: using the same socially approved means to achieve less elusive goals (more modest and humble). One form of deviance is Strain theory. Strain theory is closely entwined - of the adaptations, rebellion and innovation have the highest entrenchment in criminal activity, while ritualism and retreatism are more likely considered as social diversions or social deviations. Strain theory was developed by Robert king Merton in 1957, which states that, social structure of society compel an individual to commit crime. According to this microside of anomie, the decrease in societal regulations creates an increase pressure to commit deviant acts. Based on strain theory, Dr. Merton defined five types of deviance: • Conformity: When the person or group accepts cultural goals and the means of attaining them. Émile Durkheim believed that deviance is a necessary part of a successful society. Cesare Lombroso A biological interpretation of formal deviance was first advanced by the Italian School of Criminology, a school of thought originating from Italy during the mid-nineteenth century. Structural and Individual strain are the two main types of strain in society that promote deviance and crime. 32 pages of revision notes covering the entire A-level sociology crime and deviance specification, Seven colour mind maps covering sociological perspective on crime and deviance. In this regard, many find Merton's theory valuable and useful. This theory traces the origins of deviance to the tensions caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals. In this essay I will analyse the importance and relevance of a structional functionalist view of deviance seen through the lens of strain theory and a symbolic interactionalist perspective through the use of labelling theory. Robert K. Merton discussed deviance in terms of goals and means as part of his strain/anomie theory. Merton’s Strain Theory quickly became one of the more popular Crime and Deviance positions. Psychopaths and sociopaths are some of the favourite “deviants” in contemporary popular culture. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Speaking of 30, 2019 | Diary Of A French Texan, The Great Unraveling: Using Science and Philosophy to Decode Modernity | The website of William Hawes, Social theories of Crime Causation – Crime and Deviance by Justina Simcikaite, Outline and analyse some of the ways in which crime has changed in postmodern society | ReviseSociology, The Underclass Theory of Crime | ReviseSociology, Subcultural Theories of Deviance | ReviseSociology, All My A Level Sociology Revision Resources, Positivism and Interpretivism in Social Research, The Functionalist Perspective on the Family, The Functionalist Perspective on Education, Bowles and Gintis: The Correspondence Principle, Environmental problems and sustainable development, Social Action Theory (Interpretivism and Interactionism), Social class, wealth and income inequalities. Functionalists believe deviance functions as a tool for society to define (or redefine) morality (Brym and Lie, 2007:195). People marginalized by racism and classism are most likely to experience strain because they have the same goals as their fellow Americans but find their opportunities limited in a society rife with systemic inequalities. "What Are the Strengths and Weaknesses of Merton's Strain Theory in Understanding Crime" paper focuses on the social strain theory. Goal through legitimate ( legal ) means puts great pressure on people to achieve goals! Retreat from society theory contends that crime is a result of people being socialised into success! Able to access it on oneself from striving for success, but not everyone has to. Lawmakers to enact legislation that more evenly distributes the country 's resources these will! People who reject a society 's goals and the proper means to achieve middle- upper-class... 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