Robert k merton theory. Merton's Strain Theory 2022-12-18
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Robert K. Merton was a sociologist who developed a theory of social structure and function known as "functionalism." In this theory, Merton argued that all societies have certain functions that must be fulfilled in order for the society to survive and thrive. These functions are essential to the well-being of the society and include things like providing food and shelter, reproducing, socializing the young, and maintaining social order.
Merton believed that societies are made up of various institutions, such as the family, government, education, and religion, which play important roles in fulfilling these functions. Each institution has its own set of norms, values, and expectations that help to ensure that it performs its functions effectively.
According to Merton, when an institution is functioning properly, it promotes social stability and cohesion. However, when an institution fails to perform its functions or becomes dysfunctional, it can lead to social problems and conflict.
Merton also developed the concept of "role strain," which refers to the tension that can arise when an individual's roles and expectations within a society conflict with one another. For example, a person who is a doctor may experience role strain if they are torn between their role as a caregiver and their role as a provider for their family.
Merton's theory of functionalism has had a significant influence on the field of sociology and is still widely studied today. It provides a useful framework for understanding how societies function and how they can be maintained or improved.
(PDF) Robert K Merton's Theory of Anomie and Crime in Bangladeshi Society
Rebellion: The mode of adaptation in which an individual rejects both the culturally-acceptable goals as well as the institutionalized means of achieving those goals. Continuing from the previous point, Merton does not explain why groups of people are deviant in the same way. They "go through the motions" of what is expected perhaps because they know that it is normal and expected, because they do not know what else to do with themselves, or because they have no hope or expectation of change within society. This notion of functional alternatives is important because it reduces the tendency of functionalism to imply approval of the status quo. For example, sociologists also recognize political ritualism, which occurs when people participate in a political system by voting despite the fact that they believe that the system is broken and cannot actually achieve its goals. A person who is facing a financial crunch but is living in an affluent society might act out in a deviant manner in order to maintain his desired social status. He outlined five modes of adaptation, or combinations of goals and means, and suggested that innovation was the mode most likely to be associated with crime.
Citation concept analysis (CCA) of Robert K. Merton’s book Social Theory and Social Structure: How often are certain concepts from the book cited in subsequent publications?
He wrote about shortcomings of particular institutions and how they were dysfunctional for some; by pointing out certain dysfunctions in society, Merton thought positive social change could be achieved. According to Merton, the strain an individual experiences because of social and cultural factors can have five responses. However, these are latent functions - the unintended or not-so-obvious functions - of college. In the case of this book the goals of society would be money. Social norms are different from culture to culture.
When all parts are performing their functions correctly, society as a whole runs smoothly. Instead, he suggested that functionalist analysis should proceed from the assumption that any part of society may be either functional, dysfunctional or non-functional. Liazos Theory Of Deviance 1239 Words 5 Pages Deviance can be broadly defined as the transgressions of social norms. Retrieved from University of Portsmouth. Merton and Contemporary Sociology, Routledge, pp. The institution of the school symbolizes middle class values for honesty, courtesy, personality, responsibility, and the middle class measuring rod. The third revisits the broader methodological or metatheoretical concerns.
Merton's Strain Theory I learned that Robert Merton borrowed "anomie" from Emile Durkheim. Functional unity Parsons assumed that all parts of the society are integrated into a single whole or unity with each part functional for the rest. Ultimately, though ritualism stems from discontent with the values and goals of society, it works to maintain the status quo by keeping normal, everyday practices and behaviors in place. Merton, was an American sociologist and professor. Major publications In a scholarly career spanning more than seven decades, Merton authored many pieces of academic writing that are still widely referred to. Merton later explained in his writings that "although much impressed by Parsons as a master-builder of sociological theory, I found myself departing from his mode of theorizing as well as his mode of exposition. A good example is discrimination against females.
Moreover, since as with several other books RKM assembled these from already published pieces, citers have a choice of alternative sources to draw on which we considered in this study. This theory suggests that when faced with stress or Robert Merton's strains , individuals tend to experience more negative feelings like anger and frustrations. This theory suggests that there are five responses to strain, which include conformity, ritualism, innovation, retreatism and rebellion Andersen and Taylor, 2009. In the mode of conformity, individuals follow culturally approved goals and the accepted means to achieve these goals. Merton believed that the societies do not provide adequate means of achieving cultural goals.
This can happen regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or any other factor. Let's apply dysfunction to prisons and gangs within them. Given the complexity of social structures it is necessary to use a large toolkit, and although different analysts will subscribe to several of the tools available, all are potentially important. Self-fulfilling n 25 26 50 78 179 % 21. Moreover, what is particularly interesting about its pattern of use is that it has been taken up not merely by sociologists, and more broadly social scientists, but also by humanists and natural scientists. For example they may steal to reduce financial stress or violence as revenge to those that have wronged them. There are two types of functions that Merton discusses the "manifest functions" in that a social pattern can trigger a recognized and intended consequence.
The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Social Theory and Social Structure 1968 enlargeded. Strain will result from the lack of autonomy disproportionately affecting adolescents and the poor because of their lower position in society. Conformists are those who choose to play by the rules. According to strain theory, when an individual is unable to meet culturally-acceptable goals using institutionalized means, he experiences a state of emotional disturbance, also known as strain. In April 1929, citywide unemployment stood at 10 percent.
Merton as part of the functionalist perspective. Strain occurs when individuals find it hard to achieve cultural goals through institutionalized means Merton, 1938. The 'American Dream,' for example, is financial security through talent, schooling, and above all, hard work. Retreatism involves the rejection of both the cultural goals and the traditional means of achieving those goals. In sum, he advocated a more complex and sophisticated version, which was open-ended and also pushed toward empirical analysis rather than reliance on observatorial fiat. The manifest function of the aforementioned situation would be that one practices their faith, while the latent functions may include finding a sense of community and belonging and making friends.
