C&D 5: Robert Merton

Question 1

D: What is RM’s theory called?

E: What type of sociologist is RM?

C: When was this theory published?

Answer 1

D: Strain theory

E: Functionalist

C: 1938

Question 2

D: What American idea is this theory based on?

E: What causes the strain?

C: Is this theory relevant to Britain today?

Answer 2

D: The ‘American Dream’ that anyone can be successful if they work hard.

E: The goals of society (success and wealth) versus the legitimate means (doing well in school and then the work place)

C: It is dated and based in America, which could be less relevant. However, for many people in the UK today, the goals and the means are still the same.

Question 3

D: How many different responses are there to the goals and means?

E: Which response is the most likely to lead to a person to committing crime?

C: Which 3 could potentially lead to crime?

Answer 3

D: 5

E: Innovation- prioritising wealth and status, over how a person gains them.

C: Innovation, retreatism and rebellion.

Question 4

D: Which response would be most likely from middle class white people?

E: Which response may be more likely from working class, or ethnic minorities that face racism in schools/ society?

C: Who might be more likely to rebel and commit terrorist acts because of the strain that they feel?

Answer 4

D: Conformists, then as they get older, ritualists.

E: Innovators (but this could also be middle class people committing white collar crimes)

C: People who feel angry with the way they have been treated by society- Muslims and working class black/ white men may feel they have been targeted and want to hit back against society’s goals using their own means.

Question 5

D: Name the three responses that begin with the letter ‘R’

E: Why would middle class people be the most likely to conform?

C: Evaluate- does this theory apply to women?

Answer 5

D: Ritualist, retreatist, rebels.

E: Because they are the least likely to feel strain. They do well at school and work and find it relatively easier to gain wealth and status.

C: Heidensohn says that all women are likely to be more conformist- so strain theory may not apply in terms of wealth and status. However, we can use Pat Carlen’s work to suggest that women innovate when they are working class.