Merton believed that a state of "anomie" would result when individuals lived under conditions where legitimate means were not available to achieve societal goals.

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Merton's theory of anomie suggests that when individuals are unable to achieve societal goals through legitimate means, they experience a sense of normlessness or anomie, which can lead to deviant behavior. This can occur, for example, when the social structure provides unequal opportunities for achieving success, leading some individuals to turn to crime or other illegitimate means to get ahead.

Merton Believed That a State of "Anomie" Would Result When