Functionalism- Merton

Question 1

‘The strain to anomie’

Answer 1

Socially approved goals are not available through socially approved means so lead to frustration & resorting to illegitimate means

Question 2

Conformity

Answer 2

Typical law abiding citizens

Accept goals & means

Question 3

Innovation

Answer 3

Shoplifters, thiefs etc.
Those at the lower end of the class structure & under greater pressures
Accept goals but regret means

Question 4

Ritualism

Answer 4

Lower or middle class in dead end jobs with no goals 
Accept means but reject goals

Question 5

Retreatism

Answer 5

Drop outs from the rat race- alcoholism, drug addiction , chosen homelessness
Reject goals and means

Question 6

Rebellion

Answer 6

Replace goals and means with their own

Examples include- political radicals, counter cultures, hippies or terrorists

Question 7

Evaluation +

Answer 7

Shows how both deviant and normal behaviour arises from goals
Explains patterns in crimes- lower classes commit for etc.

Question 8

Evaluation -

Answer 8

Doesn’t explain why people choose to be different types of deviant
Ignores power of ruling class