SOCL 2001 Chapter : 9 23 13 Crime And Deviance
Document Summary
Robert merton: strain theory- people engage in deviance when there is a strain between goals and means. Tension between goals society says we should all work towards and the means in which you use to get those goals. We as students are conformists; we work hard and put the effort in. They"re limited to access of success so they attempt to achieve their success by illegal means. Realizing you"re in a major where you won"t get a job. Accept that personal wealth may never be available to them, but they don"t turn to illegal means. Renounce obedience to societal goals and legitimate ways to reach success. People learn deviance through association with deviant peers. Exposed to deviant values- from early on, for long periods of time. People are more likely to commit greater crimes if they get away with the first offense.
