Merton’s Strain Theory

Cards (7)

  • Merton states there is a strain between society‘s cultural value system (valuing money) and the social structure which fails to provide opportunities for everyone to achieve these goals legitimately
  • Merton identifies five adaptations: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion
  • conformity is when society accept the culturally approved goals and strive to achieve them legitimately
  • innovation is when individuals accept the money success goal but use illegitimate means to achieve it
  • ritualism is when individuals give up on the goal but follow the rules for their own sake
  • retreating is when individuals reject both the goal and illegitimate means and drop out of society
  • rebellion is when individuals replace the existing goals and bring about new own to bring about social change