Exam 4: Anomiestrain Theories of Crime

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Merton's anomie theory, also known as strain theory, suggests that individuals experience strain or pressure when they are unable to achieve culturally defined goals through legitimate means. This strain can lead to deviant behavior as individuals seek alternative ways to achieve success. Messner and Rosenfeld built on and extended Merton's theory with their institutional-anomie theory by focusing on the role of institutions in creating and maintaining social inequality and deviance.

In their institutional-anomie theory, Messner and Rosenfeld argue that American society is characterized by a dominant cultural emphasis on economic success and material wealth, which is supported and reinforced by the institutional structure. They identify four major institutions - economy, government, family, and education - as the primary sources of social values and norms. According to their theory, when the economy becomes the dominant institution, it leads to a weakening of social control and an increase in deviant behavior.

Messner and Rosenfeld suggest that the imbalance of power and influence among these institutions creates an environment conducive to deviance. For example, when the economy becomes the dominant institution, it can lead to a lack of regulation and oversight, allowing for corporate crime and white-collar crime to flourish. This institutional imbalance also leads to a lack of investment in social welfare programs and support for disadvantaged communities, further exacerbating social inequality and strain.

Overall, Messner and Rosenfeld's institutional-anomie theory builds on and extends Merton's anomie theory by emphasizing the role of institutions in shaping cultural values and norms, and how the imbalance of power among these institutions can contribute to deviant behavior. Their theory provides a more comprehensive understanding of the structural factors that contribute to strain and deviance in society.

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In their book "Crime and the American Dream," Messner and Rosenfeld describe the key aspects of the American Dream as the belief in upward mobility, the pursuit of material success, and the importance of individual achievement. They argue that the American Dream is deeply ingrained in American culture and serves as a powerful motivator for individuals to strive for success and prosperity.

According to Messner and Rosenfeld, the American Dream promotes crime through its emphasis on material success and the pursuit of wealth. They argue that the intense focus on achieving financial success can lead individuals to engage in criminal behavior in order to attain their goals. This can manifest in various forms, such as white-collar crime, property crime, or even violent crime in pursuit of material gain.

Additionally, the American Dream can also promote crime by creating a sense of inequality and competition. As individuals strive to achieve their own version of the American Dream, they may feel pressure to compete with others and resort to criminal behavior in order to gain an advantage or maintain their status.

Overall, Messner and Rosenfeld suggest that the American Dream's emphasis on material success and individual achievement can create a fertile ground for criminal behavior, as individuals may be willing to take extreme measures to achieve their goals and fulfill their aspirations.