Functionalist Theories of Crime & Deviance - Merton | A Level Sociology

The contribution of Robert Merton to theories of crime and deviance - and in particularly strain theory - is explored in this A level Sociology video.

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VIDEO TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction to functionalist theories of crime and deviance.
00:35 - Strain theory: structural inequality and the American dream leading to deviance.
01:09 - Reactions to strain: acceptance or rejection of the American dream.
01:44 - Categorization of adaptations to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion.
02:24 - Conformity: pursuing the American dream through legitimate means.
03:00 - Innovation: using illegitimate means to achieve societal goals.
03:32 - Ritualism: conforming to societal norms despite unlikely success.
04:10 - Retreatism: rejecting goals and means, engaging in deviant behavior.
04:45 - Rebellion: challenging socially approved goals and creating alternative visions.
05:17 - Positive evaluation of strain theory and its relevance to delinquent subcultures.
05:48 - Questioning the relevance of the American dream in the 21st century.
06:21 - Merton's theory explains crimes for financial gain but has limitations.

VIDEO SUMMARY
This video explores Robert K. Merton's functionalist theories of crime and deviance, focusing on his strain theory. Merton critiques universal functionalism and emphasizes the existence of dysfunction in society. He argues that structural inequality and the pursuit of the American dream create a strain on individuals, leading to deviant behavior and crime. Merton categorizes the adaptations to this strain into conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Conformity involves accepting societal goals through legitimate means, while innovation adopts illegitimate means. Ritualists conform to norms despite unlikely success, retreatists reject goals and means, and rebels challenge socially approved goals. The video discusses the relevance of strain theory in understanding contemporary society and its limitations in explaining the full spectrum of criminal and deviant activities.