Merton's Strain Theory and Typology of Deviance Explained

Robert K. Merton's Strain Theory - also sometimes called Merton's Typology of Deviance - is a sociological theory that was originally intended to explain why people engage in criminal behavior. Merton's theory can also be applied to other situations that don't involve criminal deviance. This video provides an overview and explanation of Merton's Strain Theory and Typology of Deviance.
The Sociology Professor is a tenured professor who has been teaching sociology at the university level since 2009. He provides resources for students in sociology courses, helps people learn more about the world around us, and shares his passion for sociology.

[@lolaspencer227]

thank you for keeping it simple and understanding, unlike my textbook!!👍

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@doiworld]

I’m working on a paper about merton and this video helps me a lot! Thanks for making this video and I’m waiting for the next one!

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful! I'm hoping to add more videos this year!

[@kat7731]

Thank you. It was very helpful. You made me interested in sociology. Please keep uploading.

[@thesociologyprofessor]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad it was helpful! I do plan to upload more videos, slowly but surely!

[@naveenworks9161]

You did a great job professor

[@thesociologyprofessor]

Thank you!

[@Nuratallah]

This is so beautiful. Thank you for keeping it simple and understanding

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@catherineawusi4278]

I have a paper to write tomorrow and this has been helpful. Thank u so much.

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad to hear it was helpful!

[@BigRichyy]

awesome video, so much better than my sociology teacher. thanks so much

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@12jose12jose]

Very helpful and well explained!

[@thesociologyprofessor]

Thank you! I'm glad this was helpful!

[@craygaming3135]

Sir explains better than my lecture 😮heads off

[@thesociologyprofessor]

Thank you!

[@yaxin3675]

The text book I am using is hard to read. Thank you so much for explaining this theory in a simple way that I could understand!, it is very helpful to me!

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad to know this was helpful! Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@armoniapasajera]

Brilliant work!! Thank you very much for sharing, it helped me a lot to understand:)

[@thesociologyprofessor]

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[@vanessadangala3880]

All I needed, thank you

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@DrPerlyl]

Great job on this.

[@thesociologyprofessor]

Thank you, Dr. Lyle! I appreciate your feedback!

[@WillInglis-m8q]

Great video, thank you

[@thesociologyprofessor]

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[@ronjablaimschein264]

thank you!

[@thesociologyprofessor]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@abrahamokware4519]

How does Merton explain the issue if unemployment to those who get a good education but can't get a job?

[@thesociologyprofessor]

There are a few layers to this question, and what I suspect Merton would have to say about it. If we're strictly looking at this question, within the context of strain theory/Merton's typology of deviance, unemployment is not something that is "explained" by this theory. Rather, the lack of adequate employment opportunities would be one of the societal conditions that would fall under the societally approved "means" of attaining the goal. So, if someone with a high level of education remains unemployed, then something structurally is going on in which a person with that level of education (and whatever other qualifications the individual might possess) is not able to attain the goal of employment, therefore the means are not adequate to support the goal, and strain occurs. Within strain theory, the real question is, then, how does said individual respond to that situation? Do they seek to meet their needs through illegal activities or public assistance, etc.? Then, they would fall under the innovation typology. Do they just give up and go starve in the woods? That would be retreatism. Do they pursue an even higher level of education and/or gain additional human capital to become more competitive? That could be described as conformist. Other options also exist, but I'm hoping the idea is conveyed here. If we examine your original question beyond the boundaries of strain theory, then I suspect Merton would likely explain the given situation (someone with a good education as unemployed) as either a dysfunction in the system (as Merton was a structural functionalist) or the social system needing a higher level of education for even baseline employment, and thus functioning to attain equilibrium by making even more education necessary. This latter answer is less realistic in a large society with a complex division of labor, as there should be jobs for people with a good education. So, the short answer is that Merton would explain this as something is not working within the social systems (education, industry, etc.), leading to a dysfunction.

[@majesticallymade6177]

Great evaluation