Merton's Anomie Theory Analysis

The Anomie Theory states that societies in a whole have a culturally driven system that “1) denotes socially approved values and goals and 2) details acceptable norms or institutionalized means for achieving these goals” (Merton 263). This explains how conditions, that of the social nature, put stress on people in different ways throughout a class, and the people inside these classes act or behave independently to these conditions. Further this system that Merton introduced shows how individuals attain success by the way of Goals and means, and uncommon or illegitimate ways. Merton points out that the effort of others to express the goals of success over the ways in which one should achieve such success shows why these illegitimate means are …show more content…
Merton expresses how those in a lower social class are both susceptible to a greater amount of stress and strain. In terms of stress, there are multiple ways in which individuals counter, both normal and anomalous. These ways are known as modes of adaptation. These modes classify those in how they attempt to succeed. These adaptations are as followed: Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, Retreatism, and Rebellion. The first mode of adaption Merton introduces is Conformity, and consist of the majority of people in society. Those belonging here accept the culture goals and means in their ways of becoming successful regardless of if they fail or not. These individuals are known as the backbone to society, the glue, holding society together. The next form or mode of adaption is Innovation. This mode is most commonly related to crime. Those in this category accept the goals, but reject the means to obtain them, using illegitimate or illegal means to succeed. Further, individuals here believe they do not have access to the institutionalized means that others have, therefore making them commit illegal means. …show more content…
The teenager had just graduated high school and had a job at his local grocery store. Unfortunately, due to car problems and the inability to fix it, the teen lost his job. Ever since, for the last six month, the teen had been looking for a job. It’s safely assumed that the teen stole to phone with the intent to sell it for the money. In terms of the modes of adaption, I believe that the teen can safely be placed into the mode of Innovation. The reason I came to this conclusion is because the teen accepts the goals, and wishes to become successful, however, regardless of the attempts to find a job, the moment the teen stole the phone, he rejected the institutionalized means of obtaining success. To rules out other modes of adaption, we begin with Conformity. Conformist accept both goals and means, the teen in this scenario rejected the means by stealing. The second mode would be Ritualism. This mode would not fit because those apart of this adaptation reject the goals and accept the means, this adaptation is opposite of the teen because he accepts the goals and rejects the means. Thirdly is the mode of retreatism. Aside from the rejection of means, the teen accepts the goals unlike those apart of this mode. Lastly, there is rebellion. The teen is not a rebel to the means and goals of society, but just the means.