Compare and contrast Merton’s theory of anomie/strain to Agnew’s general strain theory. How are the two alike? How are they different?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

viewed anomie as a condition that occurs when discrepancies exist between societal goals and the means available for their achievement. This discrepancy or strain between aspirations and achievement has resulted in Merton’s conception being referred to as strain theory. According to this theory, the U.S. society is firm in judging people’s social worth on the basis of their apparent material success and in preaching that success is available to all who work hard and take advantage of available opportunities. In reality, the opportunities or means of achieving success (“the American Dream”) are not available to all. This discrepancy between goals and means (strain) produces various “modes of personality adaptation,” different combinations of behavior in accepting or rejecting the means and goals. Given this high premium placed on individual success without concomitant provision of adequate means for its achievement, individuals may seek alternate (nonapproved) means of accomplishing this goal.



views strain as owing to negative relationships in which individuals feel that they are being mistreated. These negative relationships may take a variety of forms: others preventing the achievement of goals such as monetary success; activities that threaten to remove valued relationships such as the loss or death of a significant other; and the threat of negatively valued stimuli such as insults or physical assault. For some, such activities increase the likelihood for anger and frustration, as well as the likelihood that crime becomes a means of resolving these emotions. Agnew (1992, 1994) has revised traditional anomie (strain) theory by going beyond Merton’s presumed economic strain and identifying other sources of strain. His General Strain Theory (GST) views strain as a more general phenomenon than the discrepancy between aspirations and expectations. Strain can also take place when others take something of value from us or when one is confronted with negative circumstances.