Merton

Question 1

What does merton argue?

Answer 1

people are encouraged to believe in the ‘american dream’. Through hard work, everyone can live a comfortable life. However, there is a strain between what people want in life and the socially-acceptable ways of getting it

Question 2

strain theory

Answer 2

1. conformity - This is where people accept both the social goals and social means and so they work hard and try to be successful that way. (doesnt lead to crime)
2. Innovation - This is where people accept the social goals but reject the social means and so they try and find other ways to get wealthy (e.g. drug dealing to become rich). Merton argues that this is popular for lower class individuals who might struggle to get the best qualifications
3. ritualism - People who arent striving for social goals (think its too difficult), but do accept social means because they have been socialised to conform (e.g. homeless people)
4. Retreatism - Reject both social goals and means, they drop out of society all together. Merton suggest these people come from any social background, but likely to be deviant and commit crimes (e.g. illegal drug use)
5. Rebellion - reject goals and means but want to reaplace them with new ones. Merton argues that these are revolutionaires who want to build a new sort of society.

Question 3

Critics of strain theory

Answer 3

• does not explain devaint or criminal behaviour that doesnt help achieve material success (e.g. mass shootings)
• does not explain why people often break the law in groups

Question 4

critics of merton

Answer 4

• marxists say everyone wants to buy consumer goods, so this is not consensus of social solidarity, they’re actually serving the interests of the bourgeoisie that supports capitalism
• Doesnt fully exaplain non-utilitarian crime such as fighting and vandalism

Question 5

critics of merton

Answer 5

• marxists say everyone wants to buy consumer goods, so this is not consensus of social solidarity, they’re actually serving the interests of the bourgeoisie that supports capitalism
• Doesnt fully exaplain non-utilitarian crime such as fighting and vandalism