Anomie or “Strain” Theories Durkheim&Merton Anomie or “Strain” Theories

Emile Durkheim French Sociologist Suicide Crime is “Functional” Mechanical vs. Organic Solidarity Altruistic vs. Common Criminal

Durkheim as the Root of all Sociological Theory Durkheim emphasized several different themes Social Integration Humans as greedy, self-interested “Insatiable Desires” Anomie

Two Main Traditions in Sociolgoy Chicago School of Crime/Social Disorganization Social Integration Capping Human Desires Differential Association Informal Social Control (Control Theories) Anomie/Strain Industrial Prosperity Anomie

Robert K. Merton Social Structure and Anomie (1938) From Durkheim: Institutionalized norms are weakened in societies that place an intense value on economic success Applied this to the United States The “American Dream” as a virtue and VICE

Anomie -- Macro Level The “road not taken” Explanation of high crime rates in the United States? Follows close to Durkheim Gist = Unrestrained American capitalism and fetish with money creates anomie Picked up by Messner and Rosenfeld

Strain Theory--Anomie at the Micro Level Cultural Goals in U.S.? The American Dream = $ = Universal Institutionalized Means? Given social structure in the U.S., the means are to achieve $ are unequally distributed Segment of society with no way to attain goal b/c they lack means

Strain Theory (Micro) 1. Conformity + + 2. Innovation + - MODES OF CULTURAL STITUTIONALIZED ADAPTATION GOALS MEANS 1. Conformity + + 2. Innovation + - 3. Ritualism - + 4. Retreatism - - 5. Rebellion +/- +/-

Support for Micro Strain Theory First tested as the disjuncture between educational or economic “aspirations” and “expectations” Little empirical support for this Delinquents tend to have low expectations and aspirations BUT—is this really a great measure of strain?

More recent empirical studies “Blocked Opportunities” 50/50 odds study finds a relationship Even here, weak association Disappointment with current financial status One study, but found moderate relationship, even after controlling for other theories

Criticisms of Merton and “Strain” Theory Is crime a “lower class” phenomena? Cannot explain “expressive” crimes In Merton’s defense, this was a “mid-range” theory of crime Why ritualist vs. innovator? Weak empirical support Hirschi = “Oversocialized Man”

ANOMIE—The Legacy 1950s-1960s = “Subcultrual” theories Mix anomie tradition with differential association 1990s = Revisions of Merton’s theory Individual Level = “General Strain Theory” Macro Level = “Institutional Anomie”