Outline and evaluate Merton’s theory of Anomie.
Outline and evaluate Merton's theory of Anomie ) Anomie is a state of normlessness first coined by Robert K Merton, an American functionalist sociologist borrowed Durkheim s concept of Anomie to form his own theory called Strain Theory Merton argued that the real problem is not created by a sudden social change as Durkheim proposed, but rather by a social structure that holds out the sane goals to all its members without giving them equal means of achieving them. It is the lack of combining between what the culture calls for and what the structure permits that causes deviant behaviour. Merton uses Durkheims notion of Anomie to describe the breakdown of the normative system. 2) Merton argues that the American dream, which suggests that success is achievable through hard work and discipline has a significant effect on whether or not some groups commit crime. However, ones position in the social structure can influence their chance of success and its situation that Merton argues results in anomie. An individual's response to anomie will also be influenced by their position in the social structure and Merton breaks down these responses into five categories namely conformists, innovators, retreatists, ritualists and rebels. 3) Conformists is the first response which is the most common. These are people who try to achieve societies goals in the approved ways. Innovators
Merton Truck case study
Merton Truck Company Data for price, machine hour requirements and availability, direct material costs, direct labor cost, and fixed overhead are given. Data for overhead cost as a part of standard cost and total overhead per month are computed data. Total overhead per month is computed as: Fixed overhead per month + variable overhead per unit*quantity of products produced Total overhead per month for engine assembly is computed as: Fixed overhead + variable overhead per unit of model 101*quantity of model 101 produced + variable overhead per unit of model 102*quantity of model 102 produced = 1.7 + (2100*1000)/1000000 + (4000*1500)/1000000 = $9.8 millions To calculate overhead costs for each model as a part of standard cost, first allocation base is calculated. Allocation base in this case is proportion of capacity utilized by respective models. Allocation base is on the basis of 1000 unit so of model 101 and 1500 units of model 2. In engine assembly total availability is 4000 machine hours. Each unit of model 101 requires 1 machine hours and 1000 units are produced, therefore it consumes 1*1000 = 1000 hours of engine assembly. Similarly each unit of model 102 requires 2 machine hours, therefore it consumes 2*1500 = 3000 hours. Consumption is in the ratio of 1000/3000 or 1/3. The fixed overhead in engine assembly is allocated in proportion of 1/4 for model 101 and 3/4
Explain the contribution of Thomas Merton to mysticism
Transfer-Encoding: chunked Explain the contribution of Thomas Merton to mysticism Mysticism is an aspect of religious experience that is little understood. This term has been used to describe experiences that reveal spiritual recognition of truths beyond normal understanding, from the mildly ecstatic to the occult. It has been said that there are certain features which accompany such experiences which enable their recognition, such as a sense of freedom from the limitations of time, space and the human ego. Believers may also experience a sense of “oneness” or unity with God, accompanied with bliss and serenity. Mysticism is seen as the closest a human being can ever come to actually meeting God in this life. Mystical experiences can also be classified into two areas: extrovertive, where one experiences unity in the world through the physical senses and introvertive, where the person loses their identity as a separate individual and slowly merges into the divine unity. A key mystic is Thomas Merton. In examining his contribution to religious experience, a good place to start is considering his writings. Merton’s writings are key to understanding his contribution of mysticism. He was an incredibly prolific author, he wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the
Robert Merton originated what has come to be termed the Strain Theory in Criminology. He distinguishes between the institutionalised goals of a society and its cultural means which a social structure defines, regulates, and controls the acceptable mod
SLC403 'Robert K. Merton (1937): Social Structure and Anomie' .SUMMARY: Robert Merton originated what has come to be termed the Strain Theory in Criminology. He distinguishes between the institutionalised goals of a society and its cultural means which a "social structure defines, regulates, and controls the acceptable modes of achieving these goals" (Merton, p68). He suggests that when there is a disparity between these two elements, and norms of acceptable behaviour fail to be regulated, it allows criminals and deviants free reign. 2. MAIN BODY: 2.1 Tensions or strains generated by society itself are highlighted as the underlying trigger of delinquent or criminal behaviour. The American culture promotes an emphasis on money and it's symbolic associations with status. Individuals are encouraged to strive towards achieving this goal and to become successful in life. However, for a large majority this leads them to experience pressure, due to the restrictive means of obtaining this. Therefore they seek alternative pathways, which do not follow acceptable practices, but will result in the desired end. 2.2 Anomie occurs when norms governing social interaction breakdown. Norms impose boundaries, restricting the desires of members within society and what they can expect to achieve. Anomie refers to a lack of social order or harmony and can also apply when these
The organization that I am researching is the London Borough of Merton Council.
The organization that I am researching is the London Borough of Merton Council. This organization is of interest to me as my father works in the building as head of Planning and Public Protection. He will be my main contact point in the Council as he has worked as head of IT Services in his previous Council. The work done in the council I also find interesting. The Council is situated in the South of London in Merton Civic Centre. The Council's IT infrastructure has recently been upgraded as part of Downing Street's E-Government plan. A variety of systems were upgraded and new solutions introduced as part of this. The responsibilities of the council are outlined in this statement taken from the Merton Borough Council Website1: " commits the Council to provide clear leadership to the community in partnership with residents, businesses, the voluntary sector and other organizations; support the active involvement of the public in the decision-making process; take decisions efficiently and effectively; identify clearly those responsible for decision making and hold them to account; and improve the delivery of services to the community." The council must provide services for the entire borough of Merton, some 168,470 residents. The Council provides services to the residents and businesses of Merton in four departments: - Education, Leisure and Libraries This department is
To what extent is Robert Merton's theory of 'anomie' helpful in understanding crime in contemporary society?
To what extent is Robert Merton's theory of 'anomie' helpful in understanding crime in contemporary society? It is rightfully argued that crime, whether or not in a contemporary society, is an extremely complex and multi-faceted Phenomena that has puzzled academics for many years. Theories that aim to rationalise the causes of crime and understand the origin of criminal behaviour are often criticised for being too biased or deterministic in their research studies. Many have been of great influence and seen to explain (to an extent) the cause of crime but none has fully decoded the mystery of why people commit crime. Merton's anomie theory aimed at explaining deviance from a sociological perspective as opposed to previous academic theories on crime and criminals. The first well known study of crime and criminals is that of one who is often referred to as the 'father of criminology', Cesar Lombroso. Lombroso's argument was based around the Darwinian theory of human evolution and his theory argued that criminals were a throw back to an earlier period of human progression. In other words, they were less evolved humans, with visible physical features such as large ears and big lips. His theory suggested that criminals were born and not made therefore, where genetically prone to criminality. Merton's argument was to the contrary. Rather than observing
Modigliani, along with his co-worker, Merton Miller, proposed a theorem concerning corporate economics, called the Modigliani-Miller Theorem.
Franco Modigliani Franco Modigliani was an Italian economist, from the early 1940’s to the early 1990’s. His main work in financial economics took place at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he worked in the MIT Sloan School of Management and the MIT Department of Economics. During his career, he also taught at Columbia University and Bard College as an instructor in economics and statistics, before earning his Doctorate of Social Science from the New School for Social Research. While teaching at Carnegie Mellon University in the 1950’s, Modigliani formulated the Modigliani-Miller Theorem, along with his partner, Merton Miller. This theorem largely impacted the way corporate finance worked, because it demonstrated that the value of a firm is not affected by whether it is financed by equity or debt. Modigliani also created the life-cycle hypothesis, which attempted to explain the level of saving in the economy. He suggested that consumers would have a stable level of consumption during their lifetime, by saving during their working years, and spending during their retirement. For his work in economics, Modigliani received many prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1985 and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology James R. Killian Faculty Achievement Award. While working at Carnegie Mellon University in
Robert Frost
Works Cited Vendler, Helen. "Robert Frost". Poems. Poets. Poetry. 2nd Edition. Boston: Massachusetts, 2002 : 69,144,154. Winnick, R.H. "Frost, Robert". 7 April. 2002 < http://www.pro-net.co.uk/home/catalyst/rf/bio.html> Brower, Reuben A. "Poetry of Robert Frost". 7 April. 2002. <http://www.pro-net.co.uk/home/catalyst/RF/bio.html Robert Frost By 8731 Mrs. Rogers 04/19/02 Robert Frost can be described as one of America's major poets. A person with a great deal of achievements and talent. A sophisticated poet, that used his literary talent to transmit his knowledge and approach towards life and nature to others. Some of the most common and admired poems by his readers were "The Road not Taken", " Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening", and "Mending Wall". Poems that have increased his popularity nationwide, and have caused a major impact in the poetic and literary world. Increasing his audience and soon leading to his grand achievements. Poems such as these have left and given people a sense of thought, in a way teaching something new or by which many can relate to or identify themselves by. Robert Frost is known as one of America's leading 20th-century poets, being a Four-time winner of the Pulitzer prize.(Winnick 1). Born to Isabelle Moodie and William Frescott Frost Jr on March 26 1874. During his childhood he didn't attend school, however he was taught by
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925 in Brookline, Massachusetts, the seventh child of Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy. At the age of two, he moved to Riverdale, NY and lived in New York until the 6th grade. His family traveled to London, England for two years with his father, Joseph Kennedy, who was the U.S. ambassador to England. After high school, during World War II, Robert F. Kennedy joined the Navy. After the war, he attended Harvard University, where he played varsity football, among other sports. In 1965, Robert Kennedy became the first person to climb Mount Kennedy. At the time, it was the highest mountain in Canada that had not yet been climbed. It was named in honor of his brother John F. Kennedy after his assassination. Robert F. Kennedy later graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law. Robert F. Kennedy was a great deal of help to his brother John during his presidential campaign. In 1961, after the election, he was appointed U.S. Attorney General. He fought crime in the United States and stood up for African American civil rights, helping them exercise their right to vote, attend integrated schools and use all public facilities. On November 22, 1963 his brother, President Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Robert F. Kennedy resigned as Attorney General shortly after and, in 1964, ran successfully for the United States Senate from New
Robert Fergusson
Robert Fergusson was born of Aberdeenshire parents in Cap-and-Feather Close, in Edinburgh's Old Town, on September 5th, 1750. The street has since disappeared, having been demolished during Fergusson's lifetime to make way for the North Bridge. After primary education in Edinburgh, Fergusson entered the city's High School in 1758, attaining a bursary to attend the Grammar School in Dundee in 1762. Two years later, he enrolled in St. Andrews University. As a student, Fergusson became infamous for his pranks, having once come close to expulsion. Despite this riotous reputation, the poet's education stayed with him: the influence of his schooling in Latin and Greek, and of his friendship with the author of The Epigoniad (1757), Professor William Wilkie, is evident throughout his poetry. While at St. Andrews, legend has it that he began a tragedy on William Wallace, but abandoned the project when hearing of another play with the same theme. Fergusson's father died in 1767, forcing the poet home to support his family. Back in Edinburgh, he began work as a copyist for the Commissary Office. Perhaps to alleviate the drudgery of his position, Fergusson became a vivacious participant in Edinburgh club life, being a member of the Cape Club and the Robinhood Society. Fergusson's main concern was, of course, poetry, and on 7th February 1771, he anonymously published the first of a trio
