5.9. Strain Theories 
BRIAN FEDOREK 
Strain theories assume people will commit crime because of strain, stress, or pressure. Depending on the 
version of strain theory, strain can come from a variety of origins. Strain theories also assume that human 
beings are naturally good; bad things happen, which “push” people into criminal activity. 
Emile Durkheim viewed economic or social inequality as natural and inevitable. Furthermore, inequality 
and crime were not correlated unless there was also a breakdown of social norms. According to Durkheim, 
when there is rapid social change (like moving from an agrarian society to an industrial society) social 
norms breakdown. There is too much too fast, and society needs to reevaluate normative behaviors. He 
referred to the decline of social norms, or “normlessness,” as “anomie.” Moreover, social forces have a role 
in dictating human thought and behaviors. He thought anomie was an inability of societies to control 
or regulate individuals’ appetites. Although Durkheim was interested in looking at how societies change, 
other researchers adapted his idea of anomie. In the previous section, Shaw and McKay retained the spirit 
of Durkheim’s anomie but focused on neighborhoods instead of societies at large. Robert K. Merton also 
utilized Durkheimian anomie. 
Merton (1938) thought many human appetites originated in the culture of American society rather than 
naturally.
1 Moreover, the “social structure” of American society restricts some citizens from attaining it. 
Most, if not all, Americans know of the “American Dream.” No matter how you conceptualize the dream, 
most people would define the American dream as achieving economic success in some form. The culturally 
approved method of obtaining the American dream is through hard work, innovation, and education. 
However, some people and groups are not given the same opportunities to achieve the cultural goal. When 
there is a disjunction between the goals of a society and the appropriate means to achieve that goal, a person 
may feel pressure or strain. Everyone is aware of the definition and promotion of the American dream. When 
someone does not achieve this goal, he or she may feel strain or pressure. A person could be rejected or 
blocked from achieving a cultural goal. Merton claimed there were five personality adaptations between the 
goals of a society and the means to achieve them. 
1. Merton, R.K. (1938). Social structure and anomie. American Sociological Review, 3. 
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