Robert Merton's Suicide Anomie Theory

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Robert Merton adapted the concept of Durkheim’s suicide anomie theory and changed it to refer to a situation where there is an apparent lack of fit between the cultures norms and what is considered success in life and the cultures norms about the appropriate ways to achieve these goals. The theory shows that both deviant and normal behaviour can arise from the same societal goals as less privileged groups lack the means to achieve these goals due to limits put in place by society. Merton believed that societal norms place pressure to conform within society’s structure or be labelled as deviant, however society does not supply the means to achieve these goals to everyone. Therefore people experience strains when there is a gap between what ought to be and what is; resulting in anomie. And thus engage in deviant behaviour when they cannot achieve these goals by legitimate means. Merton used the American dream of money and success as an example, people are expected to pursue this through legitimate means ie. Education and work however poverty and discrimination means opportunities are blocked for some resulting …show more content…

However society does not supply the means to achieve these goals to everyone and therefore people experience strains when there is a gap between was ought to be and what is, resulting in anomie (Zembroski, 2011). Merton used the American Dream of money and success as an example, people are expected to pursue this dream through legitimate means such as work or education however poverty and discrimination means opportunities are blocked for some resulting in strain and criminal behaviour as a response (Zembroski, 2011). This theory shows that both deviant and normal behaviour can arise from the same societal goals as less privileged groups lack the means to achieve these goals due to limits put in place by society (Zembroski,

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