Theories of Deviance are limited in their ability to explain deviant acts if one adopts the view that these theories are universal. There is no universal, right or wrong theory, rather each theory provides a different perspective which only "fully makes sense when set within an appropriate societal context and values framework" .
The functionalist theories share a common structural explanation of causes of deviance . They assume that conformity in society is achieved through the existence of norms and values shared by the general consensus and that a high level of social integration is required for society to function successfully .
Merton's Anomie of Strain theory hypothesises that deviant behaviour is the result of a "disjunction between culturally defined goals to which most members of society aspire, and.....legitimate means for achieving the goals" . …
