Strain Theory Merton

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Strain theory Strain theory would help define how minorities feel. Strain Theory by Merton states that crime is committed by individual when they don’t achieve nor understand the “American Goals”. Conformity is when you accept the goal and the meaning. Innovation is when you reject the means but accept the goals. Ritualism is when you reject the goals and accept the means. Retreatism is when you reject both the goals and the means. Rebellion is when you reject both and come up with a new set. This would help explain why crime is committed since they are missing either the goal or the meaning to try and fit in with the “American Goal”. Also “When examining the antecedents of cooperation with police among whites, African Americans and Hispanics