Maurice was unemployed and desperate to feed his children, so he stole from his local grocery store. This behavior demonstrates Merton's ______ theory.

Question

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Merton's strain theory posits that society puts pressure on individuals to achieve socially accepted goals (like financial stability), but when the means to achieve those goals are not available to everyone, it can lead to deviance or crime, as in Maurice's case.

Maurice Was Unemployed and Desperate to Feed His Children, So