According to Merton, aberrant conduct may be viewed as a symptom of dissociation between culturally defined aspirations and socially structured means.

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Merton's theory of strain posits that when individuals are unable to attain culturally defined goals through socially structured means, they may experience strain and resort to aberrant conduct as a means of coping. This suggests a dissociation or mismatch between aspirations and means, which leads to deviance or criminal behavior.

According to Merton, Aberrant Conduct May Be Viewed as a Symptom