Sociology – Robert Merton's Social Strain Theory

Helpful in Criminology, Understanding Anomie and Deviance

Apr 20, 2009

Graffiti, Signs of Deviance and Rebellion, freephotobank, admin

Strain theory is commonly discussed in criminology and sociology as well as other humanities in order to understand anomie, resistance of the status quo, and deviance.

Sociologist Robert K. Merton is probably best known amongst academics and scholars as the man who coined the phrase "self-fulfilling prophecy," in reference to the concept that if one believes an outcome to be unavoidable or extremely likely, one is more likely to either consciously or subconsciously follow a path that will arrive at that preconceived outcome.

Merton is also known for his accessible and cogent theory, one of the most interesting of which is his social strain theory categorizing types of people that exist within the framework of a modern society.

Anomie, Deviance, and Strain

Anomie, commonly understood to be a feeling of normlessness or disconnect producing alienation and possibly leading to deviant behaviour under a structural functionalist argument – is understood by Merton to apply to the chasm between cultural or societal goals or notions of success and the normative or institutionalized means of attaining said goals.

Simply, the juxtaposition of a culture's general goals (to be rich or affluent, for example, in capitalistic societies) and the normative method of achieving wealth (inheritance, investment, business, commerce).

Merton further categorized people into five general strata with regards to this system of understanding:

Conformists are generally considered to be persons whom believe both in the established cultural goals of any given society as well as the normative methods of attaining those goals. A self-assured and successful investor would be a primary example of a conformist under Merton's theory.
Ritualists are persons who do not believe in the established cultural goals of his contemporary society but yet believe in, and abide by, the "correct" behaviours necessary to fulfill or at least pay lip service to that same cultural goal. A middle-management worker who cares little for wealth or influence but continues to participate in climbing the socio-economic ladder through traditional means and hard work falls under this category.
Persons whom accept the cultural goals of a society but reject the conventional methods of attaining those goals are known as Innovators. A drug dealer, a thief, a pornography artist, all of these typologies could in many ways be seen as innovative.
Retreatists typically reject both the established cultural goals as well as the traditional means of attaining that goal – a somewhat dark and somber attitude but one many persons are possessed of. A true nihilist might be an example of a retreatist.
Taking this a step further, Rebels not only reject the established cultural goals as well as the normative means of attaining those goals; but they also substitute a new schema of goals and acceptable means of attaining those goals individually. A revolutionary, political activist, or even a punk or extreme metal musician may fulfill the role of rebellion against the norm.

Application to Anomie, Alienation, and Deviance

Conformity, Ritualism, Innovation, Retreatism, and Rebellion – the five states of being in a modern society as according to Merton. The failure of ritualists to adhere to the common goal of capitalistic success can be a trigger for anomie in the sense that these persons do not truly believe in the ideal of wealth as the metric for success.

The blatant disregard for the conventional methods that have been established in attaining the cultural goal of high wealth causes many persons possessed of innovation to be regarded as criminals, most likely one of the more obvious connections to anomie and deviance being exemplified under this strata – alongside rebellion.

Alienation due to a schism between the beliefs of a society and of the individual can often lead to deviant actions and subcultures.

Conformists do not contribute much to the pool of anomie in a given society for obvious reasons; they subscribe to the socially acceptable means and the common goals of their surrounding society. Likewise retreatists do not participate in the process – they avoid both the goals and the means established by society without replacing those norms with their own counter-cultural forces.

Understanding social strain theory and the concepts of anomie and alienation are key to understanding the motivations and impetus behind the actions of the societally marginal individuals as well as the successful conformist.

Given the broad cross-section and stratification of modern society these academic and theoretical tools become even more important and useful in analyzing motives for change, as well as the reasoning behind social rebellion, deviance, and alienation amongst individual citizens, group subcultures, and greater society.