Question

Robert Merton believed that some people, based on their location within the social structure, feel more ______ than others and will often find ways to achieve cultural goals by use of illegitimate means.

Answer 1

Answer:     Strain

Explanation:  This is a social strain theory put forward by Robert Merton that states that certain social frameworks and norms exert influence and, even more, pressure, on individuals to accept social norms and act in accordance with them in order to reach certain social goals. This would, for example, mean that if one is a middle class person, or wants to be one, he or she must achieve goals such as home, car, hobby, etc. However, it is often the case that some people lack the resources to achieve these goals because it requires money they do not have. Thus, in such individuals a strain arises due to the expectation of achieving the aforementioned goals, and they are not able to, so it is not uncommon for them to resort to crime. This theory is also a social theory that deals with the aspect of crime.