The article Social Structure and Anomie‚ published by Robert K. Merton in 1938‚ focuses on societal pressures that an individual experiences in order to achieve a social goal‚ however‚ they do not have the necessary means to reach that desired goal. Merton emphases on the American Culture and Anomie as he believed that all United States citizens strived for the “American Dream”; however‚ the ways in which citizens obtain the “American Dream” of success are not the same‚ simply because not all citizens
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Strain Theory in Relation to Crime Strain causes people to act against the law‚ breaking laws to attain their means. Merton’s theory on strain and anomie provides us with reasons for why the offender committed the crime break and enter. Merton’s strain theory shows us that the offender understood the norms of society but could not attain the means of it‚ he needed money go back to his girlfriend who was out west. Merton’s theory states that an individual who is lacking in social forms is more
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The general strain theory reports that women tend to respond to strain emotionally with depression and anger‚ that anger is then internalized into guilt and shame and this can result in self-destructive behaviors. On the contrary‚ men respond emotionally to strain with anger‚ followed by moral outrage and this can result in a violent crime. In these findings‚ the result of females generally having stronger relationship ties which help to reduce strain as opposed to males who have lower social control
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The Strain Theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. Agnew‚ 1992‚ states that there are significant amount crimes that are committed everyday by the hands of adolescent and young adults. The Strain theory helps to establish understand the important of choices and consequence. Violent has many consequences that can affect all racial and ethnic groups (Agnew‚ 1992). The negative impact that is affect by the choices that we make and allow to overcome
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reasons why juveniles commit crimes and act up. Some of these can be explained by theories or in other words educated guesses. Although theories are only educated guesses they can be used to decide why juvenile delinquents come through the court systems. Theories can be helpful in determining why children or teenagers become a criminal. It also helps to determine what can help deter crimes by juveniles. In this essay theories will be explained that could fit some of the children in the following case studies
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The criminology theories that correspond with Brett Ryan include the frustration theory‚ the strain theory and the labelling theory. The frustration theory is when an individual experiences the benefits out of various stimuli‚ without getting in trouble and receiving the benefits. The frustration theory correlates with the case of Ryan‚ because he robbed over ten banks‚ without getting caught which made him receive the benefits from the criminal activity. Since Ryan did not get caught after robbing
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Social structure theory s focus on socioeconomic and cultural values. There are three subtypes that sociologist and criminalities have identified. Social disorganization theory‚ strain theory and cultural transmission. Social disorganization theory focus conditions in the urban environment. A juvenile that live in a neighborhood where there is a high crime rate most likely the juvenile will be involved in criminal activities. Strain theory is obtaining money and goals illegally. Juveniles will start
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Strain Theory is one of the most well known sociological theories‚ the first draft of Strain Theory was written the in 1938 by Robert Merton. The focus of his theory refers to the lack of culture’s norms about what constitutes success and achieving success through legitimate means. Merton’s formulation of anomie became the explanation of the high rates of deviant behavior in the US compared with other countries. He looked into the various types of strain: structural and individual. Structural strain
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The theory that can best explain Colton Harris- Moore’s behavior is Strain theory. Strain is the disjunction of goals and means. People commit deviant acts when they are denied the means of success. Merton (the father of strain theory) categorized people into five general categories (conformist‚ ritualists‚ innovators‚ retreatists‚ and rebels) with regards to their relationship to culturally accepted goals and the means to achieving those goals (Crossman‚ n.d.). When it comes to Colton and his case
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The Functionalist Theory believes deviance is needed by our society in order to create social cohesion. Emilie Durkheim asserted that our society needs deviance to stabilize our society as a whole. Social bonds are stronger from those who identify and punish deviant behavior. Social structure is where the functionalists focus their attention. Structural strain theory is related to the functionalist theory because it shows what can happen when social goals cannot be meant through legal ways (MindEdge
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