Robert Merton developed structural strain theory to explain why deviance happens. What sort of strain does the theory's name refer to?
A) strain between criminals and law enforcement
B) strain between deviant and nondeviant citizens
C) strain between social norms that are codified in laws and those that are not
D) strain between different value systems within a society
E) strain between socially approved goals and the means an individual has for realizing them

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The name of the theory, structural strain theory, refers to the strain between socially approved goals and the means that individuals have for achieving them. Merton argued that when individuals are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means, they may turn to deviant means as a way of coping with this strain.

Robert Merton Developed Structural Strain Theory to Explain Why Deviance