Sociology / Unit 5 Soc 0660 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Strain Theory
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The idea
Merton's strain theory holds that deviance arises when a society sets goals its members cannot reach by approved means, producing strain between the two.
In practice
Where wealth is the goal and legitimate routes are blocked, some pursue it by other routes.
Where people slip
The theory explains a pattern in aggregate and predicts no individual's conduct.
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