Outline and evaluate Merton’s theory of Anomie.

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Outline and evaluate Merton’s theory of Anomie

1)

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.

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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 (included in Merton’s rule breakers) who try to achieve the success by illegitimate means such as theft cheating in exams or other such criminal acts.

Ritualists are the third response, which are those who continue to go through the motions ...

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