merton strain

Question 1

strength: same goals

Answer 1

Merton (1938) shows how both
normal and deviant behaviour arise from the same goals. Conformists and innovators both pursue ‘money success’ but by different means.

Question 2

weakness: over predicts

Answer 2

Merton ignores crimes of
wealthy and over-predicts the amount of working-class crime.

Question 3

weakness: utiliatarian crimes

Answer 3

Merton focuses on utilitarian
crimes, for example, theft – ignoring crimes with no economic motive, for example, vandalism.