Structural Strain, Essay Example

The structural strain theory was developed by Robert K. Merton as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. According to this theory, the origins of deviance can be traced to tensions resulting from gaps between cultural goals and the means to attain them. “Societies are characterized by both culture and social structure. Culture establishes the goals for people in society while social structure provides (or fails to provide) the means for people to achieve these goals” (Crossman). According to Merton, when people use accepted and appropriate means to attain the goals that society establishes, they are said to be in balance. When they are not in balance, deviance may occur.

This student has a goal of home ownership. The institutionalized means of attaining this goal are: conformity, ritualism, retreating, innovating, and rebellion (ibid.). Conformists believe in both the established goals of society and the means of achieving these goals. While ritualists do not believe in the goals of society, they believe in the means of attaining them. Innovators, on the other hand, accept the goals of society but do not believe in the ways of attaining them. Retreatants accept neither the goals not the means, but do not substitute their own. Examples of these people are hermits, some homeless people, and some alcoholics. Rebels, like retreatants, accept neither the goals nor the means, but unlike rebels, they substitute their own. Examples of this group are the Klu Klux Klan and the American Nazi Party.

Works Cited

Cressman, Ashley. Structural Strain: An Overview. Retrieved on April 07, 2012, from http://sociology.about.com./od/Sociological-Theory/a/Structural-Strain-The.