Merton

• Merton and Anomie

  1938
• Aspirations and goals

  Largely determined by the values of their culture
• In the USA, people are socialised to believe in the American Dream - the idea that anyone who works hard can become successful and rich, regardless of their background
• People

  • Accept the goal of achieving economic success
  • Lack of opportunities to succeed through socially acceptable routes
• Most working-class people have limited opportunities to find high-flying jobs with huge salaries
• People experience strain between the goals they have been socialised to strive for

  The means of achieving them
• Anomie

  Breakdown of norms that regulate behaviour
• When anomie develops

  High rates of crime and delinquency are likely
• Criticisms of Merton

  • juvenile delinquency such as vandalism isn't motivated by the goal of making money
  • not clear why some individuals faced with anomie break the rules whilst others conform
  • many sociologists argue that society is based on conflict between powerful and subordinate groups, rather than on consensus and shared values + goals
• Conflict and consensus in Merton's strain theory

  Merton's theory assumes that there is a general consensus in society about the goals and values that are considered important. However, some sociologists argue that society is actually characterized by conflict between different groups with competing interests and values. These sociologists argue that Merton's theory fails to take into account the ways in which power differentials and social inequality can influence an individual's access to legitimate means of achieving success.