Robert Merton’s Divorce and Strain Theory Research (Essay.

American sociologist Robert K. Merton borrowed Durkheim’s concept of anomie to form his own theory of deviancy. The Strain Theory was situated in an article entitled Social Structure and Anomie, which was published in 1938. However, it differs from Durkheim’s concept in two fundamental ways.

Keywords: strain theory essay, strain theory criminology, merton strain theory, strain theory aker In criminology, the strain theory describes social structures inside society that may support people to carry out crime. Following the work of Emile Durkheim, Strain Theories have been supported by Robert King Merton, Albert K. Cohen, Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin, Robert Agnew, and Steven.

Strain theory. Strain theory is a sociology and criminology theory developed in 1938 by Robert K. Merton. The theory states that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (such as the American dream), though they lack the means.This leads to strain which may lead individuals to commit crimes, like selling drugs or becoming involved in prostitution as a means to.

Robert Merton originated what has come to be termed the Strain Theory in Criminology. He distinguishes between the institutionalised goals of a society and its cultural means which a “social structure defines, regulates, and controls the acceptable modes of achieving these goals” (Merton, p68).

Over time many studies regarding strain theory have been conducted which has altered the meaning of strain theory. Merton’s foundation of strain theory was built upon by a modern sociologist named Robert Agnew. Agnew took Merton’s strain theory and changed the theory behind which Merton believed that strain led to criminal and deviant behavior.

It was after reading Emile Durkheim’s theory of anomie that Robert Merton set out to expand upon the concept of anomie. Merton began by stating that there are two elements of social and cultural structure. The first structure is culturally assigned goals and aspirations (Merton, 1938: 672).

The question that inspired Robert Merton, “What was the cause and explanation of why delinquents commit delinquent acts.” Robert Merton created and dedicated his research on this question that later developed into his theory that he named Anomie Strain Theory. The labelling theory links deviance not to action but to the reaction of others.

Essay The Theory Of Anomie Theory. Introduction The idea of anomie theory created by the Durkheim was enhance by the sociologist Robert K. Merton during 1938 where he adopted the idea of anomie to develop the strain theory.

Merton attempts, with his strain theory, to define why crime is more prevalent among the poorer classes who have the least chance of meeting society's definition (O'Connor). Occupation, education and level of income all seem to be primary indicators of the level of strain.

The Social Strain Theory by Robert K Merton's strain theory essay. Merton The Social Strain Theory by Robert K. Merton Name. Institution. Introduction Merton's strain theory essay. In its simplest understanding, the strain theory asserts that there are certain factors in the society such as stressors and strains that can predispose an individual to committing crime.

How Important And Relevant Are Mertons Strain Theory Criminology Essay Published: November 17, 2015 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.

The Strain Theory There are many theories to crime causations one in particular caught my attention, one that I believe is the most accurate. The strain theory was developed in 1938 by Robert Merton and then updated by Robert Agnew in 1985.