Structural strain theory is a sociological perspective that explains the social structures that contribute to criminal behavior. Developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton in the 1930s, this theory posits that society sets culturally approved goals and socially acceptable means of achieving them. When individuals are unable to achieve these goals through legitimate means due to factors like poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to education, they experience strain. This strain can lead to the adoption of alternative strategies, including deviance and criminal behavior.
Merton identified five modes of individual adaptation to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. For instance, an individual who resorts to theft to achieve financial success instead of working a legitimate job is engaging in innovation. Overall, structural strain theory highlights the importance of understanding the societal context that influences individual behavior, providing insights into why some people may turn to crime when they feel that legitimate pathways to success are blocked.