Robert K. Merton was an American sociologist, and has also been called one of the greatest sociologist of our time. He developed many concepts and theories during his time. His major theories consisted of the Anomie Theory also known as the Strain Theory, and The Middle Range Theory. His major concepts he developed where the Bureaucratic Structure and Personality and the Sociology of Science. All of his work resulted in him being considered the founding father of modern Sociology. The main theory I will focus on is the Strain Theory and how it can be applied to American society.
The Strain Theory is built upon the Theory of Anomie developed by Emile Durkheim. It focuses on the confusion of values and norms. The confusion results in the conflict …show more content…
They can pursue their goals through unapproved methods like stealing this is called innovation. The last adaptation is rebellion which involves the creation of new goals and new means of achieving them. This theory can be applied to the American dream and how in American society people are considered to be successful depending on their education and the careers, and how society expects people to succeed even though there is unequal distribution of resources. Overall, this theory is relevant to society today even though Merton developed it during a different time period.
The different forms of adaptation of the strain theory are extremely important. The first and most common form of adaption is conformity. Conformist accept both the culturally defined goal and the socially restricted means of achieving such goals. They see success through the socially acceptable forms of educational and occupational advancement. Examples, of conformist include university students and the people who work nine to five corporate jobs. These people follow the path as to what is seen as successful in the American society. The second reaction is innovation. Innovators are people who continue to embrace monetary and …show more content…
The American dream consist of financial security which consist of education, talent and hard work. The problem with this conventional success is that not everybody has the same opportunity to obtain it. According to Merton, the strain between the cultures emphasize on wealth and the lack of opportunity is what causes all these forms of adaptation. I can relate to this theory because I live in the American society, and all my life I have been instilled the idea of the American dream. Now that I have become more educated I have learned how each person’s journey is different and how everyone is face with different opportunities. For instance, I come from a lower class family, and I have worked really hard to pursue my higher education. Now my experience and my ways of obtaining my goals is going to be completely different to someone who comes from a privileged family that has everything handed to them including easy access to higher education. I am in a point of my life that categorizes me in the conformist adaptation because I am a university student. This is my adaptation to the strain society has created. Merton’s Strain theory is relatable and it is what makes it still relevant to todays
The Strain Theory is built upon the Theory of Anomie developed by Emile Durkheim. It focuses on the confusion of values and norms. The confusion results in the conflict …show more content…
They can pursue their goals through unapproved methods like stealing this is called innovation. The last adaptation is rebellion which involves the creation of new goals and new means of achieving them. This theory can be applied to the American dream and how in American society people are considered to be successful depending on their education and the careers, and how society expects people to succeed even though there is unequal distribution of resources. Overall, this theory is relevant to society today even though Merton developed it during a different time period.
The different forms of adaptation of the strain theory are extremely important. The first and most common form of adaption is conformity. Conformist accept both the culturally defined goal and the socially restricted means of achieving such goals. They see success through the socially acceptable forms of educational and occupational advancement. Examples, of conformist include university students and the people who work nine to five corporate jobs. These people follow the path as to what is seen as successful in the American society. The second reaction is innovation. Innovators are people who continue to embrace monetary and …show more content…
The American dream consist of financial security which consist of education, talent and hard work. The problem with this conventional success is that not everybody has the same opportunity to obtain it. According to Merton, the strain between the cultures emphasize on wealth and the lack of opportunity is what causes all these forms of adaptation. I can relate to this theory because I live in the American society, and all my life I have been instilled the idea of the American dream. Now that I have become more educated I have learned how each person’s journey is different and how everyone is face with different opportunities. For instance, I come from a lower class family, and I have worked really hard to pursue my higher education. Now my experience and my ways of obtaining my goals is going to be completely different to someone who comes from a privileged family that has everything handed to them including easy access to higher education. I am in a point of my life that categorizes me in the conformist adaptation because I am a university student. This is my adaptation to the strain society has created. Merton’s Strain theory is relatable and it is what makes it still relevant to todays