Merton Versus Hirschi: Who Is Faithful to Durkheim's Heritage? (From Legacy of Anomie Theory: Advances in Criminological Theory, Volume 6, P 81-90, 1995, Freda Adler and William S Laufer, eds. -- See NCJ-159627)

• NCJ Number: 159629
• Author(s): T J Bernard
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: Transaction Publishers
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The recent resurgence of interest in Merton's anomie theory in criminology has largely been in the theoretical realm, and essential arguments of Merton's theory are still obscured by misinterpretation.

Abstract

As the frustration-based "strain" interpretation has faded, several interpreters of Merton's theory have concluded that the theory is essentially a variant of Hirschi's control theory. That is, people in situations of social structural strain commit crime because because they are freed from controls. Social- psychological interpretations tend to impoverish Merton's theory which is richer, more complex, and potentially more fruitful than Hirschi's theory. In particular, despite Hirschi's claims to the contrary, Merton accurately continues Durkheim's sociological tradition while Hirschi distorts Durkheim's theory. Merton's theory is actually not a control or a strain theory since it does not explain crime in terms of individuals who are either freed or frustrated. Rather, both criminal and conforming behavior are explained by hypothesizing Hobbesian actors who respond to socially structured situations. This is consistent with Durkheim's description of anomie in the organic society where all individuals are essentially motivated by self-interest. 20 references